Angel Canino barely had time to celebrate one of the greatest collegiate seasons in recent memory before another opportunity arrived.
Fresh off leading De La Salle University to a flawless UAAP championship campaign and being recognized as the UAAP Women’s Volleyball Player of the Year, the Lady Spikers star is once again preparing to wear the Philippine colors after earning another invitation to Alas Pilipinas.
For Canino, the recognition is rewarding, but the focus has already shifted toward the bigger mission waiting later this year—the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.
Speaking after receiving her Collegiate Press Corps (CPC) Player of the Year award at Discovery Suites, the reigning collegiate star said every call-up to the national team remains something she never takes for granted.
“Of course, I’m very grateful. I feel incredibly blessed that when the lineup was announced, I was included. But of course, we’re still in the process of preparing,” said Canino in Filipino.
“So hopefully, everything leading up to the Asian Games will fall into place. I hope everything aligns well, and I also hope we can all continue to support one another even more.”
The latest invitation marks another chapter in Canino’s growing international résumé after suiting up for Alas Pilipinas during last December’s Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, where the Filipinas finished fourth.
Her return to the national team comes after a collegiate campaign that elevated her status as one of Philippine volleyball’s brightest stars.
Canino was among the driving forces behind La Salle’s perfect 16-0 championship run in UAAP Season 88, helping the Lady Spikers reclaim the title despite the early-season absence of Finals MVP Shevana Laput.
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She also delivered when the stakes were highest.
In the championship opener against National University, Canino powered La Salle with 17 points, nine digs, and five excellent receptions before following it up with another all-around performance of 11 points, 10 digs, and 10 receptions in Game 2 as the Lady Spikers completed a straight-set sweep of the defending champions.
Those performances earned her the Collegiate Press Corps’ UAAP Women’s Volleyball Player of the Year recognition.
Joining Canino among this year’s volleyball awardees are National University’s Leo Ordiales as the UAAP Men’s Volleyball Player of the Year, Colegio de San Juan de Letran’s Lara Silva as the NCAA Women’s Volleyball Player of the Year, and De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde’s Reymark Betco as the NCAA Men’s Volleyball Player of the Year.
The four standouts will be honored during the 2026 Collegiate Press Corps Awards Night presented by Strong Group Athletics.
While another individual award now sits beside her growing collection, Canino’s attention is already on the next challenge.
This time, the goal extends beyond collegiate glory as she hopes to help Alas Pilipinas compete against Asia’s best on one of the continent’s biggest sporting stages.
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