Angel Canino said a shift from pressure to playing with joy and confidence helped the Alas Pilipinas Women rediscover their identity in a bounce-back win over Singapore in the SEA Games 2025.
Angel Canino felt the difference right away.
A day after a tough opening loss, Alas Pilipinas Women returned to form with a dominant straight-sets win over Singapore, 25-13, 25-8, 25-17, at the Indoor Stadium Huamark in Bangkok on Friday, December 12.
For Canino, the turnaround was rooted not just in tactics, but in mindset.
“Actually, we played better than yesterday. Talagang siguro 'yung gigil na ipakita kung ano ‘yung kaya namin as a team from the loss we had yesterday,” Canino said in a Cignal interview after the match.
“Masaya kami kasi napakita namin kung anong kailangan namin pakita.”
From pressure to playing free
The DLSU star admitted that the emotional weight of the pressure-filled opener against Thailand affected the team’s movement and rhythm on the court.
But facing Singapore, the team made a conscious decision to loosen up and enjoy the game, proving to be the right move as they advanced to the semifinals.
“From yesterday na sobrang pressure, we tried to alter it na parang magiging masaya lang inside. Mag-enjoy lang inside because that's what we are. Makakapaglaro kami ng maayos kapag masaya kami,” she said.
Playing with personality
That shift showed in their body language — something Canino said came naturally once they embraced who they are as a group throughout their international competitions.
Alas Pilipinas Women pose for a photo after their SEA Games 2025 win over Singapore. | Photo: POC Media Pool
“May isang beses na sinabi ni Shai [Nitura] na baklain natin if kaya natin baklain kasi doon lumalabas 'yung pagiging masaya namin,” Canino said with a laugh.
“Doon lumalabas 'yung totoong personality namin, which is very true kasi from the AVC, the SEA V.League that we had, sobrang bakla bakla kami lahat except siguro kay ate Jia pero kami lahat talaga may sariling kasiyahan na ginagawa sa loob.” she added.
[ALSO READ: Here’s why Eya Laure has yet to suit up for Alas Women in SEA Games 2025]
With momentum heading into the semifinals, Canino and Alas Women will ready up for a tough duel against either Vietnam or Indonesia, where they will look to secure a medal finish for the first time in 20 years.
—
Kiko Demigillo’s journey in sports storytelling began with a deep passion for games and athletes, which eventually grew into a full-fledged career.
Now a dedicated sportswriter, Kiko covers a wide range of beats for One Sports, including the PVL, UAAP, PBA, and various international tournaments.