Angel Canino fulfills dad’s dream with PH national team call-up

La Sale Lady Spikers’ Angel Canino. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Angel Canino is thrilled to follow in the footsteps of her father and former national team member Rodel as she teams up with fellow La Salle stalwarts Thea Gagate and Julia Coronel and UAAP rivals including Bella Belen of National University to lead Alas Pilipinas in the upcoming AVC Challenge Cup.

Canino is honored to receive a call-up from the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) for the Alas Pilipinas women in the AVC Challenge Cup from May 22 to 29 at Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Last year’s UAAP Rookie MVP will be realizing the dream of her dad, who played for the Philippine men’s volleyball team during his college days and when he was with the Navy.

READ: Angel Canino, Bella Belen commit to play for PH team

Angel Canino is thrilled to follow the foot steps of her father as a national team player. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/hvqPgZAP4i

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) May 15, 2024

“Gusto niya talaga, at my early age, ma-experience ko mag-national team kasi it’s a very different experience. Hindi kagaya ng paglalaro ko sa  isang school. Kapag national team kasi there’s that pride of you being a Filipina and then there’s that pride of you bringing all the Filipino,” said Canino after La Salle received the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball bronze on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.

“Heavy duty siya pero you’re happy because dala dala mo sa likod mo yung mga tao yun yung laging sinasabi ni papa sa akin you have the responsibility,” she added.

Canino hopes her upcoming national team stint is just the first of many as she is excited to team up with star setter Jia De Guzman and UAAP rivals Belen, Alyssa Solomon, and Casiey Dongallo. 

“Sana tuloy tuloy na national team ako,” the Season 85 champion player said. “National team is a big opportunity for us para makita kung ano pa yung kulang namin individually and ano pa talaga yung kailangan namin or pwedeng gawin sa sarili namin. Itong opportunity na ‘to is to present kung sino talaga kami. We’re given the opportunity to represent our country so we’re very proud of it.”

READ: PH national volleyball teams to be called Alas Pilipinas

“I’m really looking forward na maging setter si ate Jia kasi before, parang nakikita ko lang po siyang nagse-set and then meron talaga siyang connection to each and everyone sa loob. You know, makikita mo yung maturity niya inside, makikita mo yung leadership niya kaya gusto ko rin siyang makasama. Also, I really look forward na makalaro sila [Belen and Co.] sa national team and isa yung goal namin,” she added.

The 20-year-old Canino admitted she is still recovering from a cut on her right forearm, which she sustained in the middle of the UAAP season from a non-volleyball-related accident. But she vows to leave everything on the floor.

“So far, still trying to be at my 100 percent . Hindi ko mamake sure na 100 percent ako but gusto kong imake sure sa lahat na at least I try to recover and go back sa katawan ko dati,” she said.

Canino also promises to bring the discipline and respect taught by her La Salle coach Ramil De Jesus.

“We have to bring that because you’re not bringing your own, you have to bring the school and also yung Philippine flag so kahit saan ka pumunta you have to have that discipline and respect,” Canino said.