La Salle Lady Spikers’ star Angel Canino at the Lady Spikers’ bench during a UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament game. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — As Angel Canino continues to miss games, the Lady Spikers also continue to miss the on-court presence of their star player in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament.
In their second straight game without Canino, the Lady Spikers were pushed to their limits by the gritty University of the East Lady Warriors in five sets, 25-23, 21-25, 25-17, 22-25, 15-12, at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
La Salle assistant coach Noel Orcullo, speaking for head coach Ramil De Jesus, said La Salle has yet to fully adjust to the absence of the reigning MVP on the floor.
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“Siguro as of now, talagang hinahanap pa rin nila si Angel. Nandyan naman ‘yung presence niya pero ‘yung presence niya talaga sa loob ‘yung talagang hinahanap ng mga temmates niya dahil si Angel, bilang isang leader, nahihila sila ni Angel du’n sa kailangang i-push nila ‘yung sarili nila,” said Orcullo.
Canino was no longer wearing a sling on Tuesday but her forearm was still heavily wrapped. Her recovery remains day-to-day.
“Hopefully, mag-heal na agad. She’s starting (to make progress) naman na, nag-tetherapy na siya — ‘yung kamay niya,” Orcullo said. “Tignan lang natin kung hanggang kailan ‘yung healing nun.”
La Salle Lady Spikers in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIREr.net
Orcullo admitted that despite different players rising up to fill the void, the La Salle coaches feel like the team’s performance has left a lot to be desired.
“Nakukulangan pa rin kami. Although ginagapang pa rin nila para manalo, kulang pa. Hopefully i-push pa nila ‘yung sarili nila sa limit na hanggang saan ‘yung kakayanin nila sa pressure na nararamdaman nila sa sarili nang nawala si Angel. Hopefully mai-push pa nila ‘yung sarili nila,” he said.
“Ngayon, mangilan-ngilan na lang ‘yung nagiging leader sa court. Sabi ko nga last night, hindi lang isa ang dapat maging leader, hindi lang pwedeng ‘yung captain ball. Dapat lahat tayo maging leader sa loob. Hindi pupwedeng isa lang ‘yung magiging leader sa inyo. Maging leader kayo sa sarili niyo.”
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La Salle has four games remaining in its bid for one of the two twice-to-beat incentives with a 9-1 record. Its next match will be a tougher challenge against National University with Canino still unlikely to play on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.
“Hindi magiging madali itong pagdadaanan namin. Kailangan nilang tiyagain ‘to na makuha ‘yung twice to beat. Hangga’t maari, push pa sa training, kung ano ‘yung ginagawa namin, ‘yung sistemang kailangang gawin, and at the same time kung ano ‘yung plan sa game, inaaral naman nila ‘yung mga kalaban eh so dapat magtuloy-tuloy lang,” Orcullo said.