La Salle super rookie Angel Canino gets Alyssa Valdez's attention

You know you've done something spectacular when you got the attention and approval of the Phenom herself, Alyssa Valdez. That's what La Salle Lady Spikers super rookie Angel Canino did in her UAAP Women's Volleyball Tournament debut.

 The Lady Spikers needed all of Canino's 18 points from 16 attacks, 1 block and 1 ace to open Season 85 in a five-set thriller against the UST Golden Tigresses, 25-20, 16-25, 25-8, 15-25, 16-14.

The Bacolod City native, immediately got the stamp of approval from Valdez via a simple tweet.

Angel Canino 🔥

— Alyssa Valdez (@AlyssaValdez2) February 26, 2023

"Sobrang happy ko po kasi dream ko 'to. Dream kong makapaglaro sa MOA, makapaglaro sa UAAP, specially college po. Now nandito na po ako. Hindi ko in-expect na ganito kinalabasan," Canino said after the game.

The 19-year-old Canino was not fazed despite playing in front of thousands of fans for the first time. 

"Hindi po ako nagfo-focus sa external factor. Nagfo-focus ako sa kung anong kaya namin as a team. That's why naka-contribute ako, and naka-contribute ibang teammates ko."

Canino also showed composure in a five-set heart-thumping first collegiate game.

"Nasa isip ko lang talaga, 'Atin 'to. Atin. 'to.' Ipapakita lang namin kung sino kami as a team inside. I-push namin sarili namin. Binigay namin lahat."

And the good news for Lady Spikers fans out there, is that Canino is ready for more.

 "La Salle, pinaghahandaan kami. Hindi po sila tumitigil. So kami hindi rin titigil."