DLSU's Thea Gagate, Angel Canino, and Julia Coronel aim to make the best out of their inclusion in the Philippine women’s national volleyball team for the upcoming AVC Challenge Cup.
Several stars of the DLSU Lady Spikers have been included in the Philippine women’s national volleyball team pool for the upcoming Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Challenge Cup for Women, set on May 22 to 29 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Part of the 14-woman pool are Angel Canino, Thea Gagate, and Julia Coronel, who led the Lady Spikers to a bronze-medal finish in the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball tournament.
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With training already underway, Canino already expressed her excitement to be part of the national team.
“I’m very happy na finally naging part na ako ng pool ng national team. Exciting rin kasi maraming puwedeng matutunan and sobrang laking opportunity ito," Canino told reporters prior to the UAAP Season 86 awards ceremony.
For Coronel, being part of the national team also provides the opportunity to train with her idol, Jia De Guzman, who is back in the Philippines after her first season with the Denso Airybees in Japan.
[ALSO READ: Jia De Guzman returns to Philippine women’s national team for AVC Challenge Cup]
“Very happy din ako and excited sa opportunity na binigay sa akin. I’m really looking forward to learning sa mga ate namin na veterans, especially si ate Jia. Sobrang kilig na kilig ako makakasama ko siya sa team, so looking forward to learning a lot and to be playing for the country," said Coronel.
Gagate, on the other hand, is hoping to help contribute to the success of the Philippine team in the upcoming tournament.
The AVC Challenge Cup for Women will see the Philippines compete against teams from Chinese Taipei, India, Iran, and Australia in Pool A.
[ALSO READ: 2024 AVC Challenge Cups for Men and Women explained]
“Of course, sobrang blessed and happy na binigyan ako ng opportunity na makasama sa national team kasi dream ko din ‘yun talaga dati," said Gagate.
“Kailangan seryosohin kasi ibang laban na ito kumbaga. This very different from the UAAP and collegiate leagues, so kailangan lang ibigay ‘yung best and para makatulong and makapag-bigay ng panalo sa country," she added.