Whether reigning MVP Angel Canino can still play in the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball tournament remains unclear.
All eyes were on De La Salle University ahead of its match against the University of the Philippines in the UAAP season 86 women's volleyball tournament on Thursday, April 4.
Rumors had been swirling on the health of reigning MVP Angel Canino – and, seemingly so, they were answered during the team's warm-ups.
Canino was seen wearing an arm sling as she sat out La Salle's hard-fought four-set win over UP.
[RELATED STORY: UAAP: Reigning MVP Angel Canino sits out La Salle-UP game due to right arm injury, timeline for return still unclear]
After the match, DLSU assistant coach Noel Orcullo gave some updates on Canino's status for the rest of the season.
"Nagkaroon lang ng accident, cut, si Angel sa arm niya, so, day by day minu-monitor naman siya. Hindi namin alam kung kailan [siya babalik]," Orcullo said.
Playing without Canino, the Lady Spikers looked poised to take another straight-set victory against the Fighting Maroons.
However, despite leading 24-20 in the third set, La Salle's errors allowed UP to steal the frame.
"Siguro, nabigla lang 'yung mga bata. Hindi inaasahan kasing wala si Angel pero sinabihan naman namin silang ready lang, maging ready lang kung wala si Angel," said Orcullo.
"Nag-deliver naman pero 'yung nangyari sa third set, puro error namin. Kami ang nag-commit ng lahat ng errors.
[ALSO READ: UAAP: FEU escapes Ateneo in 5, La Salle towers over UP in men's volleyball]
The Lady Spikers fell to 11 miscues in the third, three more than the Fighting Maroons'.
"Tinest ni coach [Ramil De Jesus] 'yung character nila kung hanggang saan nila kayang i-sustain 'yung magandang galaw. Kaso, towards the endgame, errors ang nangyari. Hopefully, huwag na mangyari ulit," he added.
UP came close to forcing a fifth set before Alleiah Malaluan and Julia Coronel sealed the win for the Lady Spikers.
But even with this uncertainty for La Salle, Orcullo said that his charges were reminded of their success without the reigning MVP.
Prior to the season, La Salle took home the 2023 Shakey’s Super League National Invitationals sans Canino.
"Kami naman, sinabihan naman namin 'yung mga bata na sanay naman tayong minsan, 'pag wala si Angel, like noong nangyari noong Shakey's. Wala naman si Angel [pero] nagawa naman nilang manalo, mag-champion," said Orcullo.
"Lagi lang inaano [ni-re-remind] sa mindset nila na maging ready lang kayo. Nandiyan si Angel, wala si Angel, kailangang ready kayo," he added.
Up next for the Lady Spikers is the University of the East on Tuesday, April 9, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.