De La Salle University spiker Angel Canino has nothing but high respect for fellow freshman Trisha Tubu of Adamson University as a competitor.

The prized Lady Spikers recruit downplayed the rivalry between her and the Lady Falcons’ scoring leader despite both players making a strong case for the coveted Rookie of the Year honors in the University Athletics Association of the Philippines Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament.

Pitted against each other in a match witnessed by a huge crowd, the two wingers displayed their scoring prowess but it was Canino’s La Salle crew that got the best of Tubu and Adamson, 22-25, 25-14, 25-16, 25-19, on Sunday at the FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan.

“I don’t like to think that we have a rivalry as super rookies,” Canino said.

“I hold high respect for her. She has built her name with Adamson and I have mine in La Salle.”

Canino, who started off slow with just two markers in the opening set the Lady Spikers dropped, finished with 21 points including 20 off attacks and had 17 excellent receptions in La Salle’s sixth win in as many games to remain at the solo lead.

While the former UAAP high school Most Valuable Player during her days in La Salle-Zobel got her way on offense, Tubu had to work doubly hard for her 13 points.

Facing their opponent’s twin towers in Fifi Sharma and Thea Gagate, the Adamson high school product found the vaunted net defense of La Salle difficult to navigate.

Still, Tubu posed a threat to the Lady Spikers. She punched in 12 kills despite a backbreaking 51 attempts.

That alone earned Tubu more respect from the La Salle ace.

“I have high respect for her. She gives valuable contributions to her team,” Canino said of her former high school rival.

“She’s the kind of player who will never surrender easily. She’s a very reliable player. So again, I have high respect for her.”

Despite having its three-game winning streak snapped as it slid to a 4-2 card, Adamson behind Tubu will still have a chance to end the first round on a high note on Wednesday against University of the Philippines.

Canino and La Salle, on the other hand, face defending champion National University also on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.