UAAP volleyball: Experience, depth anchor La Salle’s perfect start
SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 88 volleyball tournament – first round
Angel Canino and La Salle Lady Spikers’ during a game against UP Fighting Maroons in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines —For La Salle coach Ramil De Jesus, the blend of seasoned spikers and fearless rookies has fueled the Lady Spikers’ perfect start in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament.
Bannered by Alas Pilipinas standouts Angel Canino and Amie Provido, La Salle improved to 3-0 without dropping a set after dismantling the University of the Philippines, 25-12, 25-15, 25-19, on Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Even without Shevana Laput, who averaged 22 points in the first two games, the Lady Spikers did not miss a beat.
De Jesus credited the international exposure of Canino and Provido for elevating the entire squad, while rookies have also stepped up early in the season.
“Maybe it’s just the result of all our training. We really worked hard this season, from the off-season all the way to now,” said De Jesus in Filipino. “I think my players have matured a lot. It also helps that Angel and Amie got to play with the Alas program—they can now share those international experiences with the team.”
The 12-time UAAP champion coach believes the Southeast Asian Games, AVC Women’s Cup and SEA V.League stints helped take the Canino and Provido’s games to another level.
La Salle Lady Spikers’ Angel Canino during a game against UP Fighting Maroons in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
“That’s actually really good because they get to be around senior members of Alas. They can now catch up or match the level that’s already in the team. It’s harder when there are no seniors—you don’t have anyone to measure yourself against,” he added.
Eshana Nunag continued to shine as the main setter with 15 excellent sets, while Mikee Santos filled in the big shoes of Laput with 10 points.
“I actually didn’t expect this because I’ve never entered them in a real tournament before—just in exhibitions like in Davao. But for UAAP, I didn’t know what they’d show. I just base my expectations on what they show in training. If they perform well in practice, I expect them to do the same in games,” said De Jesus.
“I didn’t watch her (Nunag) much in high school, but she came to me during senior high. I let my daughter coach her there. From what I saw, I thought she could become our main setter in college because she sets fast, defends boldly, and has a strong mindset. That’s what really matters.”
Despite the strong start, De Jesus warned against complacency as La Salle prepares to face winless Ateneo on Sunday at the same venue.
“You really have to prepare for every team. Ateneo may have zero wins, but you can see how they play—they don’t get discouraged. Even against strong teams, they stay close in score and sometimes even take a set. They’re no joke, so you have to take them seriously and study how they move,” said the longtime La Salle coach.
