La Salle Lady Spikers rookie Angel Canino. –UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — La Salle’s prized rookie Angel Canino is ready for her first rivalry game against Ateneo on Sunday in the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament at Mall of Asia Arena.
Canino, who shone in her first two games in the collegiate league, will play her first rivalry game as the Lady Spikers try to assert their mastery of the Blue Eagles that they beat for their past 10 meetings.
“Of course, the UAAP is way different in the preseason league we played,” said Canino, who first played her Ateneo-La Salle game in the Shakey’s Super League quarterfinals.
“We’re preparing for them as a team like we’re preparing for every game. But since our schools have had a rivalry for a long time, we’ve been exerting more effort in our preparation against them. And we are ready,” she added.
La Salle interim coach Noel Orcullo, meanwhile, said he wants more from his team despite winning their first two games against University of Santo Tomas in five sets and University of the Philippines in straight sets.
“We will continue to push our players to their limits. So their level continues to go up going to the second round,” Orcullo said in Filipino. “They just have to continue following our game plan and strategies. Although I can still see a lot of lapses, we have to address it.”
Canino has been sensational so far in her first two games, leading La Salle in scoring with a total of 31 points.
But the rookie out of La Salle Zobel said they have to improve not just their skills but also their character.
“Every day we have to improve ourselves. Not just skills-wise, but also our characteristics,” Canino said. “As I always say, volleyball is not just about skills. We have to improve as a team and as individuals every day.”