Angel Canino (No. 12) is learning how to carry the national team’s scoring needs on her back. —SAVA PHOTO
For Alas Pilipinas coach Jorge Souza De Brito, Angel Canino’s recent achievements as a national team player is the result of her passion and hard work in representing the country.
Canino shone bright as the 1st Best Outside Spiker of the 5th SEA V-League after leading Alas Pilipinas to its third consecutive bronze in the 1st Leg this year in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, after a 25-20, 25-20, 16-25, 25-13 win over Indonesia on Sunday.
It was Canino’s third individual award on the international stage after winning the same award in the AVC Nations Cup, where she helped Alas reach the final against three-peat champion Vietnam.
The La Salle star also won an award despite playing as an opposite hitter in the Nations Cup last year.
“She deserved all the awards she got. She always contributes with her passion on and off the court,” De Brito told the Inquirer. “What the guys can see is the result of hard work and understanding of what teamwork means.”
“She has a brilliant future for sure. She is still learning and has a lot of skills to develop to become very consistent. All of us in Alas will support her process because we are all doing the same as a team,” he continued.
Since the former UAAP Rookie-MVP joined Alas, she’s been one of the main gunners with setter Jia De Guzman leading the young team, also composed of Eya Laure, Alyssa Solomon and Bella Belen.
Alas put up a good showing in the regional tournament despite another 1-2 finish, winning sets against Thailand before falling to a 25-17, 24-26, 20-25, 20-25 result and against Vietnam in a 13-25, 21-25, 25-23, 9-25 defeat.
The Brazilian coach, who has been handling the program since 2021, believes they still need to continue working their way to the high level of the SEA Games powerhouse nations.
“We are in a process. We are proud and happy. And we also know there is a long way to make the gap [closer] between us and Thailand and Vietnam,” he said. “The team [still falls] short. But we are on the way. We are working hard and building a winning culture.”
Alas shifts its focus to the next leg in Vietnam from Aug. 8 to Aug. 10.
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“[We need to improve] a little of everything. Service to help the relation block and defense. And of course, receive,” De Brito said. INQ
