BY ANDREI BARRANTES
FAMILIAR faces welcomed La Salle’s aces in Angel Canino and Alleiah Malaluan as they concluded their first round of UAAP Season 87 against the surging Far Eastern University.
It was a crucial tilt between two red-hot teams, with both teams coming in with three straight victories – looking for a better position entering the second round of the women’s volleyball tournament.
When the dust settled, it was the Lady Spikers who stood tall in the end, sending the Lady Tamaraws packing quickly after scoring a decisive three-set win.
READ: La Salle stands taller than FEU to stake claim to solo third
For most of the Taft squad’s roster, it was a statement win to end their round on a high note. But for Canino and Malaluan, it was a reunion with Tina Salak, their head coach back in La Salle-Zobel.
“Syempre nasa ibang side na ako, kailangan ko mag-focus muna bago ko intindihin kung sino naging second mother ko. Pero after naman nun nagkatuwaan na kami,” Canino said.
“It’s an honor to play against the team na hinahandle ni coach Tina kasi yung system nila maganda na eh kasi nanggaling din kami doon eh. At the same time, the respect is there,” Malaluan added.
While it wasn’t their first time meeting their former lead tactician on the other side of the court, it was a little while ago since their last encounter as Salak descended to a consultant, with Manolo Refugia serving as main shotcaller.
READ: Manolo Refugia details dynamics with returning coach Tina Salak
Now that Salak is back at the helm, Canino and Malaluan made sure to be at their best knowing Salak’s system won’t make it easier for them. After all, they won a championship under Salak’s leadership.
That's why the two hitters certainly showed out in the win, with Malaluan finishing with 12 markers while Canino chipped in 10.
“For me, talagang mataas yung respeto ko kay Coach Tina, and at the same time mataas yung respeto ko sa team eh kasi alam ko kung paano niya ihandle yung team niya,” Canino said.
“Hindi niya basta-basta ihandle yung players. Sabi nga ni ate Leiah, yung respeto nandoon, and sobrang taas.”
Aside from Salak, another familiar face lined up for the green-and-gold squad was Gerzel Petallo, who they played with back in Zobel.
While Petallo only mustered up eight points in this go-around, FEU’s prized open spiker was playing better as of late even bagging Collegiate Press Corps Player of the Week honors.
Canino, a close friend of Petallo, would always jokingly demand the best out of her former teammate whenever they matched up.
“Parang katuwaan lang na ‘ah okay, si Gerzel. Okay, handa ka ah?’ Kasi naging ka-close ko siya, naging teammate ko sa Zobel. So parang katuwaan lang din,” she said.
Even if the two never got to share the taraflex together in college, Canino continues to cheer for Petallo – so long as they’re not facing each other.
“Happy lang din [ako] na nakakalaban ko si Gerzel. Nakakatuwa din po kasi ang laki din naman ng contributions niya sa FEU.”
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