AS they display a positive and dynamic influence in the volleyball scene, collegiate volleyball stars Angel Canino and Bella Belen look to inspire more of the younger generation.
Canino, current UAAP champion with La Salle, and National University’s Belen showed mastery and flair for their respective schools and became the only Rookie of the Year-Most Valuable Players in the league’s women’s division in the last two seasons, respectively.
Belen and Canino, with their exceptional performances, were hailed as Collegiate Volleyball Players of the Year in 2022 and 2023 in the Collegiate Press Corps Awards last Monday.
“Sobrang happy ako kasi may nai-inspire kami and iyon iyong isa sa goal namin sa NU na maka-inspire kami ng mga kabataan na maglaro ng volleyball. Makita nila kung gaano kasaya and kung gaano kaganda sa feeling na mayroon kang second family and para ka naring merong mga second sisters,” said Belen.
Canino shared the same sentiments, saying: “Sobrang natutuwa ako kasi iyon talaga iyong gusto ko mapasaya iyong mga bata, maging happy iyong mga bata while watching volleyball and iyon talaga iyong gusto ko impact sa mga tao kasi volleyball is not just (about) having fun, playing volleyball, but it’s more than that. Mayroon kang values, moral na matutunan.”
Belen revealed that the Lady Bulldogs are now back in training as they are expected to join an offseason competition, while Canino bared that the Lady Spikers are still on a break, two weeks after they won the title.
“Ngayon po kasi, kaming NU, nag-start na po kaming mag-training… kasi may Shakey’s (Super League) so iyon nga, mag-prepare kami for our upcoming (offseason) league,” Belen said.
