Redemption season continues for the DLSU Lady Spikers and the UST Golden Spikers with veteran leaders Angel Canino and Josh Ybañez leading the cavalry in their respective campaigns in UAAP Season 88.
Canino and Ybañez churned out high-level performances en route to perfect outings for La Salle and UST which have bolstered their title bids as the tournament goes into full swing.
For bringing their A-game onto the taraflex, Canino and Ybañez were named the Collegiate Press Corps’ UAAP Players of the Week for the women’s and men’s division, respectively, covering the period from February 25 to March 1.
Canino, for her part, paced La Salle during the absence of captain and prolific scorer Shevana Laput who is out due to injury.
The 22-year-old set the pace for the Lady Spikers on Wednesday, February 25, when she tallied 12 points, five excellent digs, and six excellent receptions in a three-set sweep of the erstwhile undefeated Fighting Maroons, 25-12, 25-15, 25-19.
She kept it going over the weekend, tallying 21 points and 11 excellent receptions in a four-set win over long-time rivals Ateneo, 25-14, 21-25, 25-15, 25-17, to cap off their week still undefeated at 4-0.
Despite the mounting pressure with La Salle showing its fine form from the get-go, Canino is staying focused and trusting in her teammates.
“Hindi ko siya iniisip na ittake ko lahat ng responsibility kasi madami kaming senior eh, and madami ding mga bata na willing to step up so magaan din para sa akin kasi alam ko talaga when it comes to playing, hindi lang ako dapat ang maasahan,” she said after their latest win over Ateneo.
“Lahat kami naasahan sa loob kaya walang dagdag na pressure. Lahat naman pinaghirapan namin. So lagi namin talagang pinagkakatiwalaan lang kung anong pinagtatraining namin, pinagkakatiwalaan kung ano yung ginawa namin sa training which is a very good result naman talaga and mapupuri mo talaga yung mga bata,” she added.
Canino beat out teammate Amie Provido, UST’s Angge Poyos and Reg Jurado, and UP’s Casiey Dongallo for the weekly citation.
Then in the men’s division, Ybañez powered the Golden Spikers’ bounce back bid after losing in their season opener against defending champions NU.
Since the setback, UST has won three straight games – including a perfect 2-0 slate for the week.
Spurred by his experience as a libero with Alas Pilipinas, Ybañez raked in all-around performances to pace the España spikers past the Ateneo Blue Eagles, and the UE Red Warriors to improve to a 3-1 slate.
In a marathon five-setter against Ateneo on Wednesday, the two-time MVP churned out 29 points along with 19 excellent receptions and four excellent digs to tow UST past the Blue Eagles’ challenge, 19-25, 26-24, 21-25, 26-24, 15-11.
Then, Ybañez dazzled in a homecoming game for UST at the Quadricentennial Pavilion, tallying 13 points, 11 excellent receptions, and five excellent digs in a 3-set win over an inspired UE side, 25-18, 25-22, 25-22.
The high-flying dynamo admitted that there is still work to be done as the Golden Spikers slowly but surely find their form.
“If there’s something that needs to change, we work on it. Kasi, we tend to go back sa mga old habits namin. Ayun, mas mapapatibay talaga ‘yung team kapag kaming mga seniors ‘yung maging role model ng mga bata. The consistency and ‘yung hard work,” Ybañez said.
Ybañez claimed the plum over FEU’s duo of Amet Bituin and Lirick Mendoza, NU’s Buds Buddin and Leo Ordiales, and UP’s Olayemi Raheem.
The UST Golden Spikers and the DLSU Lady Spikers return to action on Saturday, March 7, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum against the Adamson Soaring Falcons, and the UE Lady Warriors, respectively.
The games will be available on One Sports, UAAP Varsity Channel, and the Pilipinas Live app.
Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.