De La Salle University rookie Angel Canino is looking forward to seeing the day she could finally step back inside the court.
Three years removed from playing competitive volleyball because of the coronavirus pandemic, the prized recruit couldn't hide her excitement for her debut with the Lady Spikers in the Shakey's Super League Collegiate Pre-season Championship.
"I'm super excited because this will be the first time for me to play alongside my seniors. This will also be the first time that people will see me play with them," the La Salle-Zobel product said.
But the Bacolod City native will still have to wait a few more days as DLSU is scheduled to open its campaign on 1 October against Far Eastern University in Pool D handled by her former high school mentor Tina Salak.
She will have more days to recover from a sprained ankle she sustained during practice.
"I'm already doing well so I think it won't be much of a concern," Canino said.
The 19-year-old spiker is expected to add firepower to the Lady Spikers, who are preparing for UAAP Season 85 to reclaim the crown that eluded the proud college volleyball powerhouse since 2019.
Canino, who led the Junior Lady Spikers in conquering the UAAP Season 81 title at the expense of five-peat-seeking Nazareth School of National University in 2018, joins a solid DLSU squad led by veterans Jolina Dela Cruz, Thea Gagate, Fifi Sharma, Leila Cruz and Alleiah Malaluan.
"It was a smooth transition from Zobel to DLSU because of my seniors and coaches," the Season 81 girls' Most Valuable Player and two-time Best Outside Hitter awardee said.
"All of them are very approachable so I didn't have a hard time settling in," Canino added. "Every time I have problems or troubles inside the court, I can always approach them and the team communicates very well."
Canino hopes she could fulfill her role and contribute to the Taft-based squad's cause.
"Of course, our goal is to win the championship. We need to jell as a new team especially since we have lost some veterans from Season 84," she said. "I want to be able to contribute to our goal as a team."
