UAAP volleyball: Angel Canino has ‘matured’ in her second year, says coach

La Salle Lady Spikers’ Angel Canino in the UAAP volleyball. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — La Salle coach Ramil De Jesus believes Angel Canino has become a more mature player in her second year with the Lady Spikers in time for their title-retention bid in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament.

Canino fired 14 points built on 11 attacks and three blocks to kick off her sophomore season and jumpstart La Salle’s campaign with a rousing 25-16, 25-16, 25-18 victory over Adamson on Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.

De Jesus praised the reigning MVP and Season 85 Rookie of the Year for showing her maturity and leadership, following the departure of graduates Jolina Dela Cruz and Mars Alba as well as Fifi Sharma and Justine Jazareno, who turned pro with the Akari Chargers in the PVL.

SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 86 volleyball first round

Canino was happy to contribute and show their preseason preparation including a training camp in Thailand but she is taking it one game at a time before thinking of defending their title.

“One game at a time. After this game, we need more work harder and work out the next obstance and challenges one by one,” said the La Salle star.

READ: UAAP: Angel Canino says La Salle-NU staredowns just ‘part of the game’

The Lady Spikers are still continuing to adjust with their current players, who are leaning on new main setter Julia Coronel and libero Lyka De Leon.

“I can see that they still need to jell. It’s hard when you change setter and libero, because if the passes are not stable we’re going to have a hard time,” the La Salle coach said. “Our libero and setter are doing okay, we just need to adjust more.”

La Salle battles Far Eastern University next, eyeing its second win on Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.