IT’S all heart and pride for 22-year-old Angel Canino as she headlines one of the younger iterations of a Philippine national volleyball team into the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand.
Ironically, despite having eight players born in 2000 or later, Alas Pilipinas Women still registers as the second-oldest squad in the seven-nation field with an average age of 25.1.
Only 14-peat champion and host Thailand is older at 27.6.
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Behind Thailand and the Philippines are Vietnam (25), Myanmar (23.3), Indonesia (21.5), Singapore (20.9) and Malaysia (20.5).
And yet, with 2004-born standouts Shaina Nitura and Amie Provido also at the forefront of the youth movement, age is anything but a concern for Canino, who believes the blend of fresh legs and veterans gives them a unique edge.
“Mas bata ngayon ‘yung mga players sa SEA Games, pero siguro, it’s an advantage din for us kasi galing kami halos lahat [sa schools] na naglalaro with pride,” Canino said.
“This is another level of pride kasi siyempre dala-dala namin lahat ng mga kababayan namin, buong Pilipinas.”
Even as a multi-awarded international spiker, Canino admits she still hasn’t fully visualized what her first SEA Games will feel like as the stage, she says, is unlike anything she has stepped onto before.
“Hindi ko pa talaga siya masyadong naiisip kung ano ba talaga pagdating namin ng Thailand, kung ano ba talaga ang mangyayari sa’min,” she said.
“But first SEA Games, siyempre excited ako, willing to commit and ready to accept the challenge.”
Some may look at the roster’s youth, coupled with limited preparation time, as potential weak points for a team eager to finally end the country’s two-decade medal drought in women’s indoor volleyball.
But for Canino, their unquestionable desire to cement Philippine volleyball's place in the international stage outweighs all external doubts.
“Preparation-wise, nandun ulit kami sa two days bago makumpleto bago mag-competition,” she said.
“Kahit mga bata siguro mga maglalaro sa SEA Games, ma-eexpect nuyo na mag-push talaga sila nang todo-todo at ita-try talaga namin ‘yung best namin to perform.
“Kaya rin naman namin kinuha itong responsibility na ‘to para ipakita na may kaya rin kami as Filipinos.”
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