La Salle’s super rookie, Angel Canino, was the subject of MVP chants inside the SMART Araneta Coliseum during the Lady Spikers’ finals-clinching victory over University of Sto. Tomas in the UAAP Season 84 women’s volleyball tournament on Wednesday night.
However, Canino is ignoring the noise and remains focused on helping La Salle win the UAAP crown.
“Actually, nagulat nga po ako na habang nagse-serve ako nagcha-chant sila ng ganun. ‘Di ko naman masyadong iniisip,” Canino said after leading La Salle to a 26-24, 25-22, 20-25, 25-19 victory over UST.
“Sinasabi ko lang sa sarili ko na ‘focus lang, focus lang hindi pa tapos yung laban nasa semis ka pa lang.’ Binabalewala ko lang po kung ano yung mga sinasabi ng mga tao kasi naglalaro pa, hindi pa tapos yung laro,” she added.
After wreaking havoc in the elimination round, Canino did not shy away from the bright lights of the Final Four. She fired a game-high 19 points on 18 attacks to go along with 10 excellent digs to help the Green Spikers make their second consecutive finals appearance.
The former UAAP Juniors MVP’s impressive performances in the elimination round propelled her to the top of the Seniors MVP race alongside teammate Jolina Dela Cruz and Golden Tigresses star Eya Laure.
That, however, is the least of Canino’s problems. The former La Salle Zobel star said that a championship in her rookie year would be much more meaningful than the highest individual honor in the UAAP.
“Sobrang laki ng bagay na ‘yun kasi yun po yung goal namin sa team, and yun po yung goal ng bawat isa sa amin na mag-champion. Hindi yung mga individual awards or kung ano ‘man diyan,” said Canino.
“Yung goal namin is mag-champion. After nun niyan, doon namin maipapakita na eto kami, La Salle kami, kaya namin.”
