Coach Ramil: Canino, Provido deserve Alas call-up

De La Salle head coach Ramil de Jesus sees promise in the addition of Angel Canino and Amie Provido to the Alas Pilipinas women’s volleyball training pool which will prepare for the 20th Asian Games in Japan this coming September. Along with Finals MVP Shevana Laput, the trio helped the Lady Spikers win their 13th overall title at the expense of the NU Lady Bulldogs in UAAP Season 88. “Para sa akin ‘yong Asian Games malaking bagay ‘yon, every four years lang ‘yon, gusto ko ‘yan para sa kanila para ma-build ‘yong confidence nila,” said de Jesus after being feted as Volleyball Coach of the Year in the 2026 Collegiate Press Corps Awards Night. “Deserving sila, nakita nila ‘yong potentials ng mga bata, nakita nila talagang makakatulong [sa team],” he added. For Canino, one of UAAP’s only two Rookie of the Year-MVP winners – with former National University star Bella Belen the other achiever – it was such a blessing to be selected as part of the training pool. She also urged the fans to keep supporting them throughout their quest. “Of course, I’m very grateful and sobrang blessed ako na paglabas ng lineup that I was part of it,” said Canino, who was named as CPC UAAP Women’s Volleyball Player of the Year. “But of course, I’m still in the process… Hopefully, lahat ng mga mangyari when it comes to the Asian Games, mag-in line ang bawat isa and hopefully, mas maging supportive tayo sa bawat isa,” she added. Canino and Provido were two of the country’s top hitters added to the list that was released by the Philippine Olympic Committee. They are joining skipper Jia De Guzman, Belen, Eya Laure, Fifi Sharma, Shai Nitura, Alyssa Solomon, Vanie Gandler, and Erika Santos, to name a few, in the pool that will be guided by new coach Taka Minowa. The Lady Spikers, meanwhile, resumed their preparation for Season 89 with renewed confidence and grit following Canino’s commitment of playing her final eligibility year for La Salle. Unlike the Southeast Asian Games, the Philippines has suffered a decades-long medal drought in the Asian Games as its only podium finish came in 1962 in Jakarta, Indonesia, where the late Ruben Labay anchored the Nationals to a bronze victory in men’s side.