By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Negrense Angel Canino is counting on the Filipino volleyball fans’ support for the Alas Pilipinas in their matches in the 2024 AVC Women’s Challenge Cup at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.

According to the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers star, the presence of the hometown fans will serve as an added inspiration for them to perform better against the tough teams in their group.

“Nilo-look forward ko talaga sa laro na ito is magkakaisa kami,” Canino said.

“As a Filipino, lalo na dito ‘yung laro, I am really looking forward sa suporta ng mga tao, sa pagmamahal nila sa volleyball,” she said.

“Hindi lang sa individual [player] na kami, kundi kami as a team. Hindi naman namin sinasabi ‘yun pero kailangan talaga namin ng suporta ng mga tao [sa game venues],” she added.

“Without them naman talaga, we don’t have that drive. We don’t have that puso to push ourselves, but because of them, we’re here to push ourselves. We’re here to give it our all,” she further said.

The former UAAP Rookie of the Year-MVP winner also stated that she is challenging herself to increase her performance further as she will be playing for the country and not just for the Lady Spikers.

“Kung ano ako maglaro sa DLSU sa UAAP, I think, mas gusto ko pa angatan pa dun [sa Alas] kasi, syempre, you are playing for the national team, not sa isang school lang,” Canino said.

“It is a whole different level na, kasi if you are playing sa national team, you are playing for the country, you are playing for the Filipinos,” she further said.

After facing Australia yesterday, Alas Pilipinas will next face India tonight, May 24, followed by matches against Iran and Chinese Taipei on May 25 and 26, respectively.

Canino is one of the three Western Visayas-based volleybelles on the roster of head coach Jorge Edson Souza de Brito, aside from Aklanon Dell Palomata and Negrense Arah Panique./ASC, WDJ