IT was her parents’ lifelong hope that their daughter would one day fly the flag just like her papa Rodel once did.
But for Angel Canino, playing for Alas Pilipinas wasn’t just for her family’s dream, but also that of a sporting nation which has long backed its volleyball heroes on the international stage.
READ: 'Di nagsisi: Rondina's sacrifice rewarded with Alas' historic bronze
Shortly before her maiden seniors national team call-up, the former UAAP MVP shared how her then-forthcoming stint with Alas was already a dream come true for the Canino clan even before she set foot at the historic Rizal Memorial Coliseum for the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup for Women.
Like father, like daughter
“‘Yung father ko, national team na talaga dati. Gusto niya, at an early age, na ma-experience kong mag-national team din kasi it’s a very different experience, hindi kagaya nang maglalaro ka sa isang school,” said Canino.
Angel’s father - and now, also a coach at La Salle - Rodel played for the Philippine team twice in the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games back in Indonesia 1997 (beach volleyball) and Vietnam 2003 (indoor volleyball).
“Laging sinasabi ni papa sa’kin na (playing for the) national team is not just to join na para nasa national team ka lang. You have a responsibility."
“Nu’ng bata pa lang ako, tina-try talaga ni papa 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,” she added.
Fast forward to her and Alas’ breakthrough medal, as well as her recognition as best opposite hitter, and the next-generation Canino was left overwhelmed by the euphoria of standing on an Asian podium on home soil.
She was celebrating her bronze medal and individual award - with her family in the stands.
“Sobrang overwhelming and happy at the same time kasi yun yung accomplishment ng tatay ko," she said. "And also my mom na nakita rin nga niya ako ngayon.”
Angel-of-all-trades
The onetime UAAP MVP needed all the support she can get in the regional showcase, especially as just days before the opener, she was converted to opposite spiker.
An open hitter from her days in Bacolod all the way to her time in green-and-white, she had to adjust to different movement and motion, all while making sure she was making sure of their team chemistry.
Still, Canino stood her ground against towering Asian opposition and ultimately emerged as the continent’s best in her newly-minted playing position.
When her name was announced for the award, though, no one was more surprised than Canino herself.
"Nagugulat pa rin ako sa result and nagulat ako na naging best opposite ako kasi knowing this AVC, marami akong kalaban sa spot ko, so I didn't expect anything. Hindi ko naman talaga hinabol talaga itong award na 'to."
"It's more on making history talaga for the Philippines and it's more of my teammates din talaga so credit talaga sa teammates ko, sa management, sa mga coaches kasi hindi ko magagawa lahat ng 'to kung hindi dahil sa kanila. Sobrang na-appreciate ko sila," she said
Para sa bayan
Canino's pride and joy is further intensified by the fact that it was also an entire nation that backed her and Alas all tournament long in their pursuit of history.
“Happy ako na nakikita ko sila (parents ko) sa gilid na nagchi-cheer sa akin at pumapalakpak. And siyempre, hindi lang sa parents ko, dahil happy ako na na-witness ng lahat ng Pinoy na nandito na nakagawa kami ng history,” she added.
And with plenty of years to come in her still-budding volleyball career, the 20 year old vowed to be ready to heed the call for future tours of duty.
“Iba maglaro para sa bayan and kung bibigyan ako ng chance na maglaro para sa bayan, why not?" said Canino.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
