MANILA, Philippines – The redemption tour begins for the La Salle Lady Spikers in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament. 

After a heartbreaking third-place finish last year, the Lady Spikers look to reclaim the crown they last won in Season 85 as they kick off their Season 87 campaign on Sunday, February 16.

All eyes will be on La Salle superstar Angel Canino, who is likewise eager to redeem herself after missing a huge chunk of Season 86 due to a freak right arm injury.

“It’s a huge motivation for us as a team, especially for me, since I missed a lot of games [last season],” Canino said in Filipino of La Salle’s failed title defense in Season 86.  

“For me, I don’t want that to happen again – where I couldn’t contribute to the team and I was only on the sidelines.” 

Canino, the Season 85 MVP, missed a total of five games last season due to the non-volleyball accident she suffered as La Salle finished the elimination round at third place. 

The Lady Spikers then saw their back-to-back aspirations come to an end following a five-set loss to eventual runner-up UST Golden Tigresses in the Final Four. 

Now fully healthy, Canino aims to lead La Salle back to the promised land as she also embraces her new role as the team captain following the departure of Thea Gagate and Julia Coronel, among others. 

“It’s a different role that I’m entering individually, but I’m not thinking of it as pressure. It’s for me to help the team so we would have the same path as the coaches,” Canino continued in Filipino. 

“I’m always ready to help and step up for my team,” added the 21-year-old spiker.

Following a stint with Alas Pilipinas in the offseason, where she was named Best Opposite Hitter in their bronze-medal finish in the AVC Challenge Cup, Canino also hopes to apply the lessons she gained from the national team in the UAAP. 

“Of course, Alas Pilipinas is different from La Salle. The lessons I learned from Alas, I try to adapt to La Salle. The maturity inside, it’s not all about hitting, but you also have to be all-around,” she said. 

Canino and the rest of the Lady Spikers will immediately be put to test as they face off with the defending champion NU Lady Bulldogs led by reigning league MVP Bella Belen on Sunday. – Rappler.com