Angel Canino sees strength where others might see inexperience, convinced that the youthful spark of Alas Pilipinas Women will be their edge when the 33rd Southeast Asian Games unfold in Bangkok, Thailand.
The 22-year-old Canino is part of a young core making its SEA Games debut — one of nine first-timers alongside Shaina Nitura, Amie Provido, Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, Justine Jazareno, Mars Alba, Vanie Gandler, and Alleiah Malaluan.
“Well, mas bata ngayon ‘yung mga players sa SEA Games, pero siguro it’s an advantage rin for us kasi galing kami sa paglalaro with pride,” Canino said during the Philippine National Volleyball Federation send-off last Saturday.
While this group is new to the SEA Games stage, Canino knows they are far from untested. Over the past two years, they have grown within the program, continuously competing in international tournaments that sharpened their skills and prepared them for moments like this.
“Malaking tulong ‘yung mga naging tournaments namin kasi nakita rin namin ‘yung mga lapses na pagbalik ng training, aayusin na lang at i-improve na lang — ‘yung mga nakita naming mali namin,” said the La Salle star.
The Philippines faces a daunting opener against defending champion Thailand — a powerhouse energized by a volleyball-crazed home crowd — on December 11 at 6:30 PM at Indoor Stadium Huamark, before taking on Singapore the following day.
It promises to be a tough road, but Canino said the team feels determined to navigate every challenge on its way to ending a 20-year podium drought for Philippine women’s volleyball.
(C) AVC
“For SEA Games, siyempre excited ako, willing to commit talaga, and ready to accept the challenge,” she said.
“Yung tiwala ng bawat isa, tapos ‘yung will to win, ‘yung heart na meron ang bawat isa, hindi matutumbasan ng kahit ano.”
For the former UAAP MVP, stepping onto the SEA Games stage carries a deeper sense of pride. Despite their youth, she and her teammates are eager to rise to the occasion, channeling their energy and talent toward bringing glory to the country.
This drive defines the young core of Alas Pilipinas, who fully embrace the responsibility of representing the Philippines and are ready to prove they have what it takes to compete at the highest level.
“So I think this is another level of pride kasi siyempre dala-dala namin lahat ng mga kababayan namin — buong Pilipinas. So kahit mas bata ‘yung mga maglalaro sa SEA Games, ma-e-expect niyo na magpu-push talaga sila nang todo-todo, at ita-try talaga namin ‘yung best namin to perform and showcase kung ano ‘yung kaya namin para sa mga Pilipino,” Canino said.
“Kaya rin namin kinuha ‘tong responsibility na ‘to para ipakita na may kaya rin kami as Filipinos.”
#WATCH: WILLING TO COMMIT
Angel Canino is looking forward to her #SEAGames2025 debut but is also nervous for the challenge that lies ahead 🇵🇭🏐#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/XQFXkVpZMn
📹 @_joaquiflores /Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/DlD9mBWBM2
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) December 6, 2025
