La Salle stars Angel Canino, Thea Gagate, and Julia Coronel are eagerly anticipating gaining every ounce of experience they can as they prepare to make their respective debuts for Alas Pilipinas Women.
The Green Spikers trio is part of the 16-man roster released by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF), set to compete in the AVC Challenge Cup for Women at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum from May 22 to 29.
Former UAAP MVP Canino is embracing the significant opportunity as she aims to further hone her game on the international stage against top-notch competition.
“Yung national team is a big opportunity for us para makita kung ano pa yung kulang namin individually and ano pa talaga yung kailangan namin or pwedeng gawin sa sarili namin,” said Canino.
“Syempre, itong opportunity na ‘to is to present kung sino talaga kami. We’re given the opportunity to represent our country so we’re very proud of it,” she added.
On the other hand, Gagate, who just received her third consecutive UAAP Best Middle Blocker award, vowed to be a sponge and learn from her Premier Volleyball League teammates, while Coronel promised to work twice as hard as she fulfills a lifelong dream.
“Well for me, experience talaga yung nilu-look forward ko kasi ito yung chance na maka-experience kami na kasama yung ibang mga ate namin who’s in the pros and at the same time makalaban yung mga ibang international teams,” said Gagate.
“For me, this has really been a dream of mine ever since kaya grabe rin yung saya ko nung narinig ko na I get to be part of this pool or the lineup so for me, talagang gusto kong paghirapan ‘to and get as much experience as I can kasi ‘yun din talaga yung big goal ko for myself and for the rest of us,” expressed Coronel.
But what excites Gagate, Canino, and Coronel the most about their first-ever stint with the national team is the opportunity to play alongside eight-time PVL Best Setter Jia De Guzman.
De Guzman, arguably the most decorated playmaker in the Philippines, recently returned to the country following her stint with the Denso Airybees in the Japan V.League.
“I’m really looking forward na maging setter si Ate Jia kasi before, parang nakikita ko lang po siyang nagse-set. I mean, meron talaga siyang connection with each and every one sa loob. Yun yung pinakanagagandahan ako,” said Canino.
“You know, makikita mo yung maturity niya inside. Makikita mo yung leadership niya kaya gusto ko rin siyang makasama kaya nilu-look forward ko,” she added.
“Well for me, si Ate Jia po. Yun nga, super experienced siya na setter and I’m excited to be na maging setter siya sa team namin and yun nga, nakaka-pressure pero masaya siya. Magandang experience siya,” echoed Gagate.
As a playmaker herself, Coronel admitted that she has looked up to De Guzman ever since she started her career. The 5-foot-9 playmaker said that she is eager to learn from the former Ateneo star and spend time under her wing.
“For me si Ate Jia Morado kasi I’ve been looking up to her ever since and sobrang ano rin, nakaka-excite. ‘Di ko na-imagine ever na magiging teammate ko pala siya,” said Coronel.
“I’m really looking forward to what I’ll get to learn from her also and the rest of our ates na nasa team na mga veterans din, kung what I’ll get to learn from them individually.”
The La Salle trio of Thea Gagate, Angel Canino, and Julia Coronel can't wait to team up with setting wizard Jia De Guzman in Alas Pilipinas! 🇵🇭💫#Sambansa #UAAPSeason86 pic.twitter.com/Tkc0IrM3DP
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) May 15, 2024
