De La Salle University Lady Spikers team captain Angel Canino doesn’t mind what position she would play for the Philippine women’s national volleyball team nicknamed Alas Pilipinas.
In the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup for Women, Canino played opposite, different from her outside hitter position with the Lady Spikers. Canino won the Best Opposite Spiker award as she helped Alas Pilipinas secure the country’s first bronze medal.
This year, Canino’s name was once again included in the wishlist of Alas Pilipinas head coach Jorge Edson De Brito but this time for the outside hitter position.
“I don’t know yet kung talagang outside hitter ba ako or opposite sa national team, but kahit anong position naman, lagi ko sinasabi kay Coach Jorge (De Brito) na ready ako na mag-perform sa kahit anong position na ibigay sa akin,” Canino said after leading her team to a sweep of Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles in the UAAP.
“Hindi ko naman iniisip kung gusto ko ba na itong position lang, parang ino-open ko rin ‘yung mind ko kasi I think the national team is a big opportunity for me talaga na maging mature sa loob ng court at maging ako at maggo-grow lang ako lalo kung lumabas ako sa comfort zone ko and isa ‘yun sa opportunity na makukuha ko doon.”
Also part of Coach De Brito’s wishlist for the national team were Canino’s teammates in La Salle – opposite spiker Shevana Laput, outside hitter Alleiah Malaluan, and middle blocker Amie Provido. The three Lady Spikers’ inclusion in the wishlist made Canino proud of her teammates.
She said, “Siyempre, sobrang happy. Proud din ako sa kanila kasi pinaghirapan nila ‘yan hanggang sa mapasama sila sa wishlist. Masaya rin kasi makakasama ko sila sa national team. Alam ko rin kasi ‘yung capabilities nila as a player and as an athlete. So ‘yun, sobrang happy ako na kasama ko na sila.”
National University Lady Bulldogs Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, Arah Panique, Vange Alinsug, and Lams Lamina, Adamson University Lady Falcons super rookie Shaina Nitura, and Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraw Clarisse Loresco were also included in the wishlist.
With Alas Pilipinas team captain Jia Morado De Guzman still included in the lineup, Canino could not hide her excitement to once again play with one of the country’s best setters, who is currently playing in the Japanese V.League.
She ended, “Looking forward kay ate Eya (Laure), si Arah, at syempre gusto ko rin makasama si ate Aly Solomon, si ate Bella Belen, at si ate Jia, gusto ko rin ulit makasama si ate Jia hindi lang dahil sa pagiging leader niya sa loob ng court, kundi sobra sobra ‘yung pagmamahal niya at mararamdaman mo ‘yung leadership niya sa labas ng court.”
