Angel Canino did not let her Rookie of the Year and Season MVP recognitions get to her head in Game 2 of the De La Salle University and National University best-of-three finals series on Sunday.
Canino and the rest of the individual awardees were honored at 1 pm, while Game 2 was scheduled at 4 pm.
Although the Lady Spikers came out flat, allowing the Lady Bulldogs to take the first two sets, Canino and Co. bounced back to clinch the championship, winning 19-25, 23-25, 25-15, 25-17, 15-10, in front of 20,514 fans at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
“Actually, hindi ko naman po inexpect ‘yun eh kasi ayoko po talagang isipin ‘yung mga awards na makuha ko po kasi ang goal ko naman talaga is makacontribute po sa team,” said Canino. “So kung ano naman po ‘yung nakuha ko, kagaya nga po ng sabi ni Coach Ramil, bonus lang po ‘yun. ‘Yung totoong laban po talaga is ‘yung championship.
“Syempre po, nakakaproud lang din po sa team namin kasi finally nakuha na po namin ‘yung goal namin, ‘yung ultimate goal namin is magchampion.”
The second-ever rookie MVP, next to Mhicaela Belen, led La Salle in scoring with 19 points on 12 attacks, six service aces, and a block, along with eight excellent receptions.
She also deflected the credit for her individual awards to her teammates and God.
“Masaya naman po ako na nakuha ko po ‘yun pero para po ‘yun sa team at sa nasa taas, kay God.”
Being the best rookie this season, the 5-foot-10 outside spiker shared that having seniors Jolina Dela Cruz and Mars Alba guide them is a big plus.
The two were elevated from second-year players straight to being seniors due to the three-year hiatus of the league, no thanks to the pandemic.
“All-around naman po sila kahit sa labas maaasahan niyo po sila, and na-appreciate ko talaga sa kanila kung paano sila mag-approach sa amin, kung paano nila pinakita ‘yung leadership nila, ang pagiging Ate nila inside and outside the court, and sobrang na-appreciate ko po ‘yun kasi malaking factor po ‘yun sa amin, ‘yung sisterhood sa amin, and may mag-lead po sa amin, malaking factor po talaga ‘yun,” said Canino.
“Ngayon magpapasalamat po ako sa seniors namin kasi malaking bagay ‘yung guide nila sa amin para makuha po namin ‘yung ultimate goal namin, so thank you po Ate Mars and Ate Jols.”
