Angel Canino is ready to show her skills in the international stage as Alas Pilipinas competes in the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup.
The Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player in UAAP Season 85 rose to stardom wearing green. Now, she will be donning the red, white, and blue.
In her two seasons in the league, De La Salle University’s Angel Canino has already proven what kind of player she is and can be in the years to come.
Now, the 20-year-old Canino will face an even bigger task of performing on the international stage as she suits up for Alas Pilipinas in the upcoming 2024 AVC Challenge Cup.
While all eyes will be on Canino and the rest of the team, the 5-foot-11 outside hitter welcomes the pressure that comes with it.
“Siyempre there’s always pressure kasi nga national team. But kagaya nga ng sabi ni ate Julia [de Guzman], less pressure to all of us kasi ngayon lang din kami nagkakilala sa loob ng court. Wala pang more than a week so less pressure we have to play our A game lang,” Canino told reporters after Alas Pilipinas’ team presentation on Monday, May 20.
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Fans have come to know what Canino can bring to the table, especially after leading the Lady Spikers to the championship last season.
But with a different playing field this time around, Canino is expecting an even greater level of play from herself.
“Sinasabi ko lang is kung ano ako maglaro ng UAAP, I think mas gusto kong angatan pa don kasi siyempre you’re playing sa national team, not sa isang school lang. It’s a whole different level na kasi if you’re playing sa national team, you’re playing for the country, you’re playing for all the Filipinos,” said Canino.
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With the entire country ready to support Alas Pilipinas in their AVC campaign, Canino is ready to use that as fuel to score big wins against their opponents in the tournament.
“I’m really looking forward sa suporta ng mga tao sa pagmamahal nila sa volleyball, hindi lang as individual kundi kami as a team. Kasi ‘di naman namin sasabihin ‘yun pero kailangan namin 'yung suporta ng mga tao,” said Canino.
“Without them naman talaga, we don’t have that drive and puso to push ourselves, but because of them we’re here to push ourselves, we’re here to give our all,” she added.
The AVC Challenge Cup for Women will kick off on May 22 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. The games will air on One Sports, One Sports+, and the Pilipinas Live app.