The return of Aiko Urdas was greatly anticipated by National University fans. While Aiko’s return hasn’t been as smooth as many had hoped, she appears to be improving game by game.
The former UAAP Rookie of the Year was injured in the Shakey’s V-League prior to Season 77 of the UAAP. In her last stint in the UAAP, Aiko, along with Jaja and Dindin Santiago, led the Lady Bulldogs to the SemiFinals before falling to Ateneo in two games.
Aiko has now returned to the scene of the crime. Back after a whole year of absence, she is slowly making her presence felt once more in the Shakey’s V-League. After notching a single point in their victory over UP, and contributing just two in their demolition over UB, the open spiker was able to break double digits in scoring in the loss to Arellano.
Urdas is far from ready, and even she knows it. Echoing the statement of Assistant Coach Edjet Mabbayad, Aiko believes that while the injury to her knee has healed, she is still hindered by her thoughts and fears.
“Sa utak nalang (yung takot). Sinasabi ko sa sarili ko na ‘wag mong isipin’ kasi maaapektuhan yung laro ko. Uunti-untiin ko para mawala,” shared Aiko. “Nakakakaba. Inaalalayan ko pa yung tuhod ko.”
Her teammates have been a great source of motivation. Spending so much time with her, they understand the difficulties that Aiko is going through, and they have been nothing but supportive to their teammate.
“Nakakasama ko sila araw-araw, pati na rin sa training. Lagi nila ako sinasabihan na wag akong matakot, wag kong isipin yung tuhod ko.”
It will take some time before she truly recovers. Hopefully for the young volleybelle, it will come sooner rather than later.
