Angel Canino. UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–Living up to her billing as a super rookie, Angel Canino has been superb for the undefeated La Salle Lady Spikers three games into the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament.
In her seniors’ debut on February 26, Canino announced her arrival in an emphatic fashion, pouring 18 points on 16 attacks to power the Lady Spikers’ five-set escape of the UST Golden Tigresses, 25-20, 16-25, 25-8, 15-25, 16-14.
The 19-year-old wing spiker followed that performance with another solid showing of 13 points on 11 attacks and 2 aces as she led La Salle to a 25-14, 25-20, 25-14 sweep of the UP Fighting Maroons on March 1.
Unfazed with the atmosphere of her first La Salle-Ateneo rivalry match on March 5, Canino unleashed a career-best 23 points on 21 attacks, one block, and one ace laced with nine digs as the Lady Spikers blanked the Blue Eagles, 25-16, 25-20, 25-13.
With her sustained fine play, Canino earned the citation as the Collegiate Press Corps UAAP Player of the Week presented by San Miguel Corporation and Philippine Sports Commission with MNL Kingpin, Tinapayan Festival, and Jockey as minor sponsors.
Canino edged teammate Jolina Dela Cruz, NU’s Alyssa Solomon, and UST’s Eya Laure for the first Player of the Week citation of the season handed out by print and online scribes covering the beat.
“I think we all deserve the player of the game because all of us contributed. I have no words for my team, I’m proud with how we did our best,” said Canino after the Ateneo-La Salle showdown where she scored eight of her total in the first set.
“I didn’t expect that [ score ng eight points in the first set] and I wasn’t counting my points. I just wanted to contribute. I reminded myself to do the right things to help the team.”