Standing out in a team stacked with seasoned stars is not an easy task.
What more in a field filled with amazing talents?
But it was never a problem in the case of De La Salle University rookie Angel Canino as she made an immediate impact right from her debut game up to a dramatic championship-clinching performance in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament.
The 19-year-old winger was so impressive in her game, consistently leading the Lady Spikers throughout the season, that there was no doubt when she bagged the highest individual award to become only the second freshman to be named Most Valuable Player.
Canino played an instrumental role in ending La Salle’s five-year title drought, spreading her wings wide to deliver the school’s 12th championship overall.
Senior Jolina dela Cruz praised Canino for showing maturity beyond her years.
“You can put your full trust in Angel. She doesn’t move like a rookie but instead, she’s like one of the seniors in the team,” Dela Cruz said in gratitude for the rookie that helped her capture the elusive title.
“You don’t really need to worry about her inside the court because she knows what she’s doing.”
La Salle dropped only one game the whole season with Canino, who was also awarded the 2nd Best Outside Spiker, at the helm.
But she saved her best performance in the last two games of the tournament against no less than powerhouse National University led by long-time rival in Season 84 ROY-MVP Bella Belen.
The Lady Bulldogs, who had a rough campaign following a clean sweep of last year’s edition including a finals series romp of the Lady Bulldogs, had no answer to Canino as La Salle secured the throne in two games albeit both in dramatic five-set decisions.
The former junior MVP averaged 20 points per game in the championship series, surpassing her elimination round norms of 16.2 points per outing.
More than getting individual accolades, winning the title for her dream school was the biggest accomplishment for Canino.
“I worked hard for this. It’s my dream to play in the UAAP and become a champion,” Canino said.
“Before I wondered about that feeling. What does it feel like to be a champion? That feeling of knowing you got it because you gave your all? Now I got to experience that overwhelming feeling.”
“I’m so happy that all my dreams have become a reality.”
Canino, indeed, made her mark on the collegiate stage.
It was her intention all along — to make a huge impact on the local volleyball community.
“I’m really happy because that’s what I really want. I want to entertain and inspire other kids while watching volleyball,” the pride of Bacolod said.
“That’s the kind of impact I want for the fans because volleyball is not just about having fun playing but it should also bring good values and morals.”
