Unlike in their first-round matchup, De La Salle University was able to take control of the first set against Adamson University.
But it was almost the same as the Lady Spikers saw their performance go down anew, but this time in the crucial second and third frames that put them at a 2-1 set deficit.
Just like in their first meeting, though, Angel Canino and La Salle were able to find a way to bounce back and take the comeback win, this time via a 25-17, 25-27, 23-25, 25-23, 15-9 victory in two hours and 45 minutes.
The 19-year-old rookie out of La Salle-Zobel had her share of struggles, committing costly errors in the second set, where the Lady Spikers made 12 of their 27 errors.
However, the mindset of the young Canino was not shackled despite the mishaps, and remained calm as she led La Salle to the win.
“Kagaya nga po nung nakalaban ko sila (nung first round), sinabi ko lang sa sarili ko kalimutan na kung anong nangyari, bawi lang, and look forward kung anong meron in the present dapat,” said the 5-foot-10 open spiker.
“Dapat focused ka lang sa kung anong nasa harap mo ngayon, huwag ka na magdwell sa kung anong nangyari in the past kasi madadown ka lang dahil nga iniisip mo yung mga mali mo. Kailangan ko lang po talaga bumawi.”
After the long battle, Canino saw herself victorious and with a new career-high of 28 points on 22 attacks, five blocks, and a service ace while also making 19 excellent receptions and six digs.
More importantly, she delivered the needed hits that pushed La Salle to the win, tallying seven of her points in the all-or-nothing fifth set.
Canino did it in different ways, scoring four on attacks, two on blocks, and one on a service ace.
The rookie sensation continued to perform beyond her years, proving to be a budding leader for the Lady Spikers.
“Sabi nga po nila kung magkamali yung isa, cover kaagad sa isa, huwag na po dagdagan ng mali kasi hindi na tayo kailangan magdwell pa doon sa mali, kailangan umpisahan natin na magscore pa nang magscore pa after ng isang mali,” she said.
Even with La Salle picking up the first twice-to-beat edge in the Final Four, Canino is not resting on her laurels, knowing there are still games to be won to finally reach the peak of UAAP volleyball.
After a dragging five-setter against the Lady Falcons, she knows that there are a lot of things the Lady Spikers still need to fix and polish with the semifinals nearing.
La Salle will finish the elimination round against Ateneo de Manila University and the University of the East.
“Nilu-look forward po namin kung ano pang kaya namin ipakita kasi alam naman po namin after every game na may kailangan pa po kami iimprove as a team so kung ano naman pong kailangan na iimprove namin at nakuha naming lesson ngayon, iaapply po namin sa natitirang games namin,” she closed.
