UAAP: La Salle wary of rising NU heading into showdown

La Salle star Angel Canino during a game against UP in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament.–UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Angel Canino and Alleiah Malaluan are ready to take the lead for La Salle sans their championship core members in their upcoming finals rematch against National University on Saturday in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Their rivalry game will feature the collision of their retooled rosters with the Lady Spikers playing without graduates Jolina Dela Cruz and Finals MVP Mars Alba as well as Fifi Sharma and Justine Jazareno, who jumped to the PVL with Akari.

The Lady Bulldogs entered the era of Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon as their leaders after the departure of Cess Robles, Joyme Cagande, and Jennifer Nierva.

SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 86 volleyball first round

Canino and Malaluan on facing NU this year. #UAAPSeason86 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/lNlFcDrpBo

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) March 10, 2024

Reigning MVP Canino embraces the bigger role for the defending champions as she battles NU for the first time since ending La Salle’s five-year title drought last year.

“Ang lagi ko lang inaalala, ‘yung sinasabi ni coach Ramil [de Jesus] na ‘wag hanapin ang wala,” said Canino after scoring 16 points in their quick 25-15, 25-17, 25-18 win over the winless University of the Philippines on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.

And the sophomore spiker is confident with her teammates Malaluan, Shevana Laput, Thea Gagate, Amie Provido, setter Julia Coronel, and libero Lyka De Leon under the system of 12-time UAAP champion coach Ramil De Jesus.

“We have to work on kung ano ang meron kami. Lahat nandu’n naman na po sa amin, wala naman pong kulang. Kailangan lang talaga naming pagtrabahuan,” said Canino, who became the league’s second player to bag the season MVP and Rookie of the Year at the same time after Belen.

Malaluan agreed with Canino, believing her teammates are ready to prove their worth in their clash for separation at 5-1, behind unbeaten leader University of Santo Tomas, which beat NU and La Salle.

“Kami na rin naman [nandito ngayon]. We’ve been training for ilang months na so I think connection na lang talaga ‘yung kailangan naming i-work on inside the court,” said Malaluan.

READ: NU streaking ahead of UAAP Finals rematch against La Salle

Malaluan and Canino are putting a premium on their defense against the Lady Bulldogs, who are excellent on offense and steady with their floor defense.

“During training, more on defense nga [‘yung tinatrabaho namin]. But as much as possible, we try to apply it sa game kasi kita nga na may lapses,” Malaluan said. “We have a week to train for NU.”

La Salle assistant coach Noel Orcullo, speaking for De Jesus, said his wards need to be wary of NU after winning five straight games since falling to UST on opening weekend.

“Sa nangyari na yun medyo nagising sila so ngayon nakikita natin yung pagtaas ng game nila so kailangang paghandaan,” said Orcullo. “Hindi pwedeng mag dwell kami kung paano sila natalo sa UST pero ang pagtutuunan namin ngayon kung paano sila pumapanik [pataas].”