De La Salle University rookie sensation Angel Canino paid tribute to her high school coach, Tina Salak, just moments after she was crowned the second consecutive Rookie of the Year-Most Valuable Player in the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament.
“To my number one coach po ever since I started, coach Tina Salak, and to everyone na nag-handle po sa akin, maraming, maraming salamat po,” said Canino during the awarding ceremonies at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Canino played under Salak during her time in La Salle Zobel. Together, they brought down the Nazareth School of National University dynasty led by Faith Nisperos in the Season 81 finals to give the Junior Lady Archers their first title since 2013.
Indeed, the 19-year-old outside spiker from Bacolod blossomed as one of the top high school recruits under Salak. She also won the Most Valuable Player and Best Outside Spiker awards during that season.
And on Sunday afternoon, Canino made history anew by becoming the second rookie after NU’s Mhicaela Belen to win the MVP award in the seniors division. She also nabbed the Best Outside Spiker plum.
“Sa mga coaches na nag-handle rin sa akin before I started my volleyball journey po, to my parents, maraming salamat po,” said Canino.
The former Palarong Pambansa MVP topped the statistical race with 89.375 points after placing third in scoring (227 points), fourth in spiking (36.42 efficiency), fourth in reception (40.85 percent rate), seventh in service (0.27 ac per set), and ninth in blocking (0.44 kill blocks per set).
Canino thanked the La Salle community as well for their unwavering support throughout the season. She vowed that the Lady Spikers will do whatever it takes to bring the UAAP crown back to Taft.
“I just wanna thank all of the coaches, coaching staff ng DLSU, managers, and sa lahat po ng taong bumubuo sa La Salle community, maraming maraming salamat po. To the La Salle community who are here, thank you so much for supporting us. Thank you for showing your love. Thank you po for believing in us, thank you po sa trust na bininigay niyo,” said Canino.
“Sa lahat po ng nandito, pangako po hindi kami titigil hanggat ‘di po nababalik yung korona sa La Salle.”
