Alas Pilipinas head coach Jorge Souza De Brito has nothing but praise for Angel Canino, who is willing to embrace any role for the national team.
Angel Canino could have said no.
When Alas Pilipinas head coach Jorge Souza De Brito asked if she would be willing to convert from an outside hitter to an opposite spiker, Canino had every reason to hesitate.
As one of the youngest members of the national team, the 21-year-old La Salle star could have deferred to the veterans, allowing them to shoulder the weight of such a significant change.
However, Canino embraced the challenge wholeheartedly.
"I told her, 'Look, Angel, I will try to put you in the opposite. What do you think?'" De Brito shared, recounting his conversation with Canino.
"Angel replied, 'No problem, coach.' I then added, 'Maybe if you're not okay –' but Angel responded, 'No problem, coach. I have no problem to be the opposite, no problem to be there, no problem to be the first six, no problem to be someone who’s gonna help us in the second six. I’m just here to help.'"
[ALSO READ: From outside hitter to opposite spiker, Angel Canino says she's ready to fly for Alas Pilipinas]
The transition was not without its difficulties, but Canino faced the challenges head-on.
And her commitment, needless to say, paid off.
Throughout the historic bronze-medal campaign of Alas Pilipinas in the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup, Canino was nothing short of stellar. She emerged as the leading scorer of the team, proving her worth against some of the continent's top talents.
At the end of it all, Canino earned the prestigious Best Opposite Hitter award.
"What more can you ask for?" De Brito said of the 5-foot-10 winger.
"She’s a natural killer. You can put her in any position, maybe she will do a real damage."
[ALSO READ: Angel Canino credits teammates, coaches for Best Opposite Spiker award in AVC Challenge Cup]
De Brito also expressed his gratitude to La Salle head coach Ramil de Jesus for giving Angel the opportunity to expand her horizons with the national team.
"I’m really thankful because La Salle let her come, especially coach Ramil," the Brazilian tactician said.
As Canino continues her commitment with Alas Pilipinas, De Brito is pleased to see her having a great time learning and developing with her sisters-in-arms.
"I’m really happy because she’s really enjoying the time there to grow," he said.
"There’s no one practice that she doesn’t ask for help... And you know when someone really [cares] when you’re talking about just… you can feel it in her eyes that she’s ok."
Alas Pilipinas will continue to train for the FIVB Volleyball Women's Challenger Cup, which will be held next month at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.