By MARK REY MONTEJO
Angel Canino is using last year’s heartbreak as motivation when she and the De La Salle Lady Spikers seek to regain the throne in UAAP women’s volleyball this season.
“Sobrang laking motivation po sa amin yun as a team. Lalo na sakin kasi mas marami po akong games na nawala. Ayoko nang mangyari ulit yun na hindi ako makapag-contribute sa team [and] nandun lang ako sa gilid,” said Canino.
It can be recounted that the pride of Bacolod suffered a right-hand injury in a non-volleyball related accident last season, forcing her to sit out most of their games.
She was able to return to action in their final preliminary game against University of Santo Tomas — a battle for the last twice-to-beat advantage — where the Lady Spikers lost.
Facing for another time — this time, for a spot in the finals — Canino and La Salle fought UST, only to succumb anew.
Canino said the team will draw strength from that experience to play better this year.
“Syempre malaking hugot po yun. Kasi ang goal talaga namin as a team and mga coaches is mag-champion. We try na taasan ang level na meron kami ngayon and we try na maging best na sarili this coming season,” she said.
That may be easier said than done following the departure of their veterans including Thea Gagate, Leila Cruz and Julia Coronel to the pro ranks.
Still, Canino has ample support in Shevana Laput, Amie Provido, Julyana Tolentino alongside a couple of rookies like Fil-Am Jill Santos and Mikole Reyes.
“Nakuha ko pong lesson sa kanila (sa mga veterans) na walang bibitaw sa amin, dapat mas maging strong pa ang bond namin at communication namin sa loob,” Canino said.
“Kahit ang dami pa naman naming pinagdadaanan at kahit maraming hindi naniniwala sa amin, dapat ‘yong bawat isa sa’min magtiwala pa rin,” she added.
La Salle opens its season this Sunday, Feb. 16, against reigning champion National University.
