IF this La Salle redemption run does end with the UAAP Season 88 championship, Angel Canino wants it to heal every heartbreak that came before it.
The Lady Spikers stand just a win away from a season sweep and a 13th title, but for Canino, this moment means much more than just taking home another trophy to Taft.
This one is personal. It is for the sophomore Angel Canino in Season 86 and the captain Angel Canino in Season 87, both of whom went home licking their wounds.
“Gustong-gusto ko talagang matapos [‘yung season] nang maganda tignan ‘yung La Salle, ‘yun lang talaga,” she told reporters following their dominant Game 1 triumph over National U.
“Ang dami kasing [heartbreaks] as a rookie before, tapos nangyari ‘yung Season 86, nangyari ‘yung Season 87 na gustong-gusto naming makabawi, pero hindi namin nagawa and it was under me as a captain.”
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At the same time, the former rookie-MVP, this title chase is not only about beating the Lady Bulldogs, but also restoring the championship placement and dynastic prestige long associated with La Salle women’s volleyball.
Angel spreads her leadership wings
Good thing then that Canino has learned all the lessons from their painful losses.
Now older and wiser, she believes the biggest difference lies not only in skill, but in maturity and composure.
“Ngayon talaga, ako, I’m trying to be patient with myself and with my teammates kasi ‘yun ‘yung isang magdadala sa’min patungong championship,” she said.
“Hindi lang basta-bastang skill ang kailangan sa loob ng court, kun'di paano talaga dalhin ‘yung sarili namin para matapos nang maganda ‘tong season na ‘to.”
Still, Canino knows better than to believe the job is done, especially not against the same NU side that denied the Lady Spikers twice before and has repeatedly proven capable of clawing back when cornered.
“Ang gagawin lang namin is to remind everyone to not be on cloud nine and to focus sa kung anong goal talaga namin dahil gusto naming matapos ‘tong season na ‘to nang maganda,” she said.
“One step closer, pero hindi pa natatapos ‘yung laro talaga.”
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