Angel Canino eager to return to form ahead of PH team debut

Alas Pilipinas’ Angel Canino during the AVC Challenge Cup press conference.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — As Angel Canino debuts for Alas Pilipinas in the AVC Challenge Cup starting on Thursday, expect the La Salle star outside spiker to bring the same intensity and be more passionate in front of her countrymen.

“Kung paano ako maglaro sa UAAP, I think mas gusto kong angatan pa doon kasi siyempre you’re playing sa national team, not sa isang school lang,” Canino told reporters on Monday during the tournament’s press conference at Makati Shangri-La. “If you’re playing sa national team, you’re playing for the country and for all the Filipinos.”

Despite the daunting task of carrying the flag with only a week of preparation, the former UAAP rookie MVP promises to show her A game and leave everything on the floor.

READ: Discipline, respect among things Angel Canino will pack for PH stint

Angel Canino on playing for Alas. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/9BRPurFmJV

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) May 20, 2024

“Magkakaisa kami as a Filipino, yung pride namin lalo na dito yung laro and I’m really looking forward sa suporta ng mga tao sa pagmamahal nila sa volleyball, hindi lang as individual na kami kung hindi kami as a team kasi,” Canino said. “Without them, we won’t have that drive and puso to push ourselves but because of them we’re here to push ourselves and we’re here to give our all.”

Canino, who couldn’t complete La Salle’s UAAP title defense after suffering a cut in her right arm in the second round, admitted that she’s eager to get back to her top form but she needs to have the right mindset and remain calm in playing for the national team.

“I’m one hundred percent ready sa mindset kasi siyempre it’s a whole different experience for me and opportunity kailangan ko maging ready mentally. Physically naman, we are jelling as a team,” she said. “I’m very happy na sobrang less adjustments lang sa team kasi despite coming from different systems. But we are trying our best to adjust to each and everyone lalo na may ates kami to guide us.”

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

Alas Pilipinas opens its Pool A campaign against Australia at Rizal Memorial Coliseum on Thursday. The Filipinos take on India on Friday before facing Iran on Saturday and Chinese Taipei on Sunday.

Canino, with her La Salle teammates Thea Gagate and Julia Coronel, is excited to see their team display its potential with captain setter Jia De Guzman leading Sisi Rondina, Eya Laure, Dell Palomata, Cherry Nunag, Faith Nisperos, Fifi Sharma, Vanie Gandler, Dawn Macandili-Catindig, Jennifer Nierva, and Arah Panique. 

“I’ve seen my teammates siyempre nagtraining kami and nakita ko rin kung gaano namin kaya lahat lahat ng pinagdaanan namin sa training so I’m very excited na ipakita sa inyo kung anong nagawa namin sa training,” Canino said.