Angel Canino believes it takes more than skills to represent either school or country. —PVL IMAGES
Being under the wings of Ramil de Jesus, De La Salle University’s Angel Canino has learned two important virtues, among other things: Discipline and respect.
“We have to bring [those] because [if] not … [how can] you [represent] the school and also [the] Philippine flag?” Canino said. “Everywhere you go, you have to have that discipline and respect.”
Canino, after leading La Salle to a bronze finish in the recently concluded UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament, plans to bring those two things when she represents the country with Alas Pilipinas.
READ: Angel Canino eager to return to form ahead of PH team debut
The women’s national team, which includes a mix of seasoned and rising stars, is slated to compete against other nations in the 2024 Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Challenge Cup on May 22 to May 29 at Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
“[Heeding the call for] the national team is a big opportunity for us to see what else we are lacking individually or what else we can do to improve ourselves,” Canino added.
La Salle surrendered the UAAP crown after bowing to University of Santo Tomas in the Final Four with Canino still not in the pink of health after a right forearm injury that forced her to miss games before coming back in the Lady Spikers final elimination round game against the Golden Tigresses.
READ: Angel Canino fulfills dad’s dream with PH national team call-up
“So far, I’m still trying to be at my 100 percent. I can’t make sure that I am already back at 100 percent but I want to assure everyone that at least I am trying to recover and go back to my old form,” Canino said.
Following dad’s footsteps
Canino has already been training with her Alas Pilipinas teammates that also includes graduating Lady Spikers Thea Gagate and Julia Coronel. The La Salle trio have expressed their excitement to play alongside former Jia de Guzman, a former setter of Japan’s Denso Airybees who also used to run plays for Creamline.
For the La Salle star, however, being included in the national team is also a chance to follow her father Rodel’s footsteps. The older Canino played for the men’s national team back in the day when he was with the Navy.
“[My dad] really wanted me to experience playing for the national team at my early age,” Canino shared. “Because it’s a very different experience unlike playing for just one school.
“When you’re in the national team, there’s that pride of you being a Filipina and then there’s that pride of you bringing all the Filipinos behind you … and I am happy because of that.
“That’s what papa always tells me because being in the national team is not just to join but you have the responsibility … Now, I am really thankful to be here and I hope to get to continue being in it.”
Brazilian mentor Jorge Souza de Brito will call the shots for the women’s Alas Pilipinas that includes Choco Mucho’s Sisi Rondina and Cherry Nunag, Chery Tiggo’s Eya Laure and Jennifer Nierva, Cignal’s Dawn Macandili-Catindig and Vanie Gandler, Akari’s Fifi Sharma and Faith Nisperos and Dell Palomata from PLDT.