Angel Canino entered the UAAP scene with a thunderous introduction last season, becoming the second-ever rookie MVP in the women’s division after Bella Belen did so in Season 84.
This Season 86, Casiey Dongallo has been getting the same reception so far despite the losses piling up for University of the East.
On Wednesday afternoon, Dongallo finally had her first of many matchups with Canino as De La Salle University swept UE, 25-21, 25-18, 25-10 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The 18-year-old sensational rookie was in awe of the way Canino approached a match as the latter unloaded a game-high 17 points on them to go with nine digs and seven excellent receptions.
“Playing against her po, magaling po si Ate Angel,” said Dongallo, who had 15 points, her career-low in the UAAP.
It was the first matchup for Dongallo and Canino as their schools have not met each other in preseason contests.
The Cebuana spiker, who even played middle blocker for two sets in the game, recalled the times she needed to dig Canino’s powerful hits.
“Yun nga po sabi ni Kizzie sa akin nung na-up niya po yung palo ni Ate Angel, sabi niya, ‘Ang bigat pala ng palo niya’. Every palo po niya ata hindi po namin nakukuha eh, lahat po yun puntos,” said Dongallo.
“Nakakatuwa po kasi sila lang po yung team na hindi po namin nakalaro during preseason tapos ngayon po nakalaro namin sila.”
For her part, the reigning MVP also had fun in the experience of playing against a super rookie – something she once was.
As of last Sunday after four matches, Dongallo was the leading scorer of the league with 106 points.
With this win, the Lady Spikers have won back-to-back sweeps after their crushing loss against University of Santo Tomas.
“Against Casiey it was fun. Sa kanya parang tiningnan namin kung paano siya maglaro and actually sobrang natuwa na rin ako kasi nakalaban na rin namin siya finally,” said Canino.
“Slowly po nire-regain namin yan lahat as a team kasi kailangan po talaga namin magjell as a team. Kailangan namin yung kumpyansa sa sarili para mabigay namin lahat sa team para magfocus kami lalo sa team,” she said as La Salle rose to solo second at 4-1.
