Once an up-and-coming volleyball prodigy in the juniors ranks, La Salle ace Angel Canino is now poised to fulfill a longstanding dream for her family and herself: representing the Philippine national team.
As a multi-awarded collegiate star and one of the country’s finest young players, Canino has earned her first call-up to the newly-named Alas Pilipinas for the upcoming 2024 AVC Challenge Cup for Women on home soil.
Reflecting on her journey, the former UAAP rookie-MVP recalls how it all started with a humble wish from her parents, Rodel and Sol.
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From an early age, Angel had her sights set on the national team dream, inspired by her volleyball coach dad who was once a national ace himself.
As she steps onto the international stage, Angel carries with her a lesson ingrained by her father: the unparalleled honor and pride of representing the Philippines.
“‘Yung father ko, national team (player) na talaga dati. Gusto niya at an early age na ma-experience kong mag-national team kasi it’s a very different experience, hindi kagaya ng maglalaro ka sa isang school,” said Canino.
“Kapag national team kasi, there’s that pride of you being a Filipina and then there’s that pride of you bringing all the Filipinos. Heavy duty siya pero you’re happy because dala-dala mo sa likod mo ‘yung mga (kababayan mo),” she added.
Canino also underscored how her dad would make her understand that playing for the national team is both an honor and a responsibility not to be taken for granted.
“Laging sinasabi ni Papa sa’kin na (playing for the) national team is not just to join na para na sa national team ka lang. You have the responsibility.
“Nu’ng bata pa lang ako, tina-try talaga ni Papa ko na mag-join ako sa national team kagaya ng Asean, ‘yung SEA Select. Ngayon, thankful talaga ako na nasa national team ako and hopefully, tuloy-tuloy na nasa national team na ako,” said Canino.
Heeding her ‘second father’ RDJ’s advice
From her actual father to her sporting father, Canino is just as eager to carry out all-important lessons from veteran La Salle champion coach Ramil de Jesus to the international stage.
In her three UAAP seasons with the Lady Spikers, Angel Canino experienced title-winning highs, heartbreaking lows, and everything in between. Through it all, she learned two key values that she will carry with her as she transitions from the green-and-white to donning the three stars and a sun: discipline and respect.
“‘Yung key lesson from coach Ramil (de Jesus) siguro is that discipline is everywhere and ‘yung respect is everywhere so we have to bring that because you’re not only bringing you own but you’re bringing the school and also ‘yung Philippine flag,” Canino said.
“Kahit saan ka pumunta, you have to have that discipline and you have to have that respect.”
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