By MARK MONTEJO
La Salle head coach Ramil de Jesus strongly believes his players Angel Canino and Amie Provido are deserving of their spots in the Alas Pilipinas pool for the forthcoming Aichi-Nagoya 20th Asian Games scheduled Sept. 19 to Oct. 4, in Japan.
“Para sa akin ‘yong Asian Games malaking bagay ‘yon, every four years lang ‘yon, gusto ko iyan para sa kanila para ma-build ‘yong confidence nila,” said de Jesus after being feted as Volleyball Coach of the Year of the 2026 Collegiate Press Corps. Awards Night.
Canino, Provido and Finals MVP Shevana Laput played key roles in the team’s magical run that enabled the Taft-based squad to reclaim their crown via a 16-game sweep.
“Deserving sila nakita nila ‘yong potentials ng mga bata, nakita nila talagang makakatulong [sa team],” he added.
For Canino, one of UAAP’s only two Rookie of the Year-MVP winners – the other is former National University star Bella Belen – it was a surreal feeling,
“Of course, I’m very grateful and sobrang blessed ako na paglabas ng lineup that I was part of it,” said Canino, who was named as CPC UAAP Women’s Volleyball Player of the Year.
“But of course, I’m still in the process… Hopefully, lahat ng mga mangyari when it comes to the Asian Games, mag-in line ang bawat isa and hopefully, mas maging supportive tayo sa bawat isa,” she added.
