Aduke Ogunsanya is finally back on the Taraflex after missing three conferences in the Premier Volleyball League.
On July 19, 2022, the 5-foot-11 middle blocker suffered a torn ACL in her right knee during Choco Mucho’s game against the Philippine Army, which forced her to miss a significant amount of time.
She did not play in the 2022 Reinforced Conference, the 2023 First All-Filipino Conference, or the Invitational Conferences.
During the opening day of the Second All-Filipino Conference on October 15, Ogunsanya successfully made her comeback after 14 months.
In the Flying Titans’ straight-sets win against NXLED on Tuesday, she made an instant impact in one set of play, scoring six points with five attacks and one service ace.
For Ogunsanya, it’s about working hard until she reaches her previous level before her injury and improving even more.
“At first mahirap siya, especially yung journey ko sa ACL. I didn’t expect na ganun siya kasakit and hirap kasi ako. Kilala ko kung sarili ko, mataas yung pain tolerance ko, so in a way kaya ko kahit ano na injury na hindi iniinda yun pero ngayon nag-shift yung body ko na parang sakit na lang nafifeel,” shared the De La Salle University product.
“Yung sistema ni Coach Dante (Alinsunurin) blocking, mahirap siya kasi middle ako and pure laterals yung movement. Challenge siya, pero sabi ko kay coach imimeet ko po yung standards niyo and slowly, one day at a time nafifeel and nakikita ko na nagiimprove pero kulang pa,” she continued.
“I always empty my cup para may madagdag parati.”
With the Flying Titans loaded, especially in the middle blocker position, the 27-year-old Ilongga has come off the bench in all but one of their first five games.
However, Ogunsanya does not care whether she starts or plays sparingly as a second-stringer. Regardless, she will always be ready to contribute.
Choco Mucho has Maddie Madayag, Maika Ortiz, Bea De Leon, and Cherry Nunag as their other middle blockers.
“Right now ready lang lagi parang sinasabi ko lang na every game though hindi starter nandoon yung mindset, yung trust na anytime tatawagin,” said Ogunsanya.
“Hindi naman natitigil yung kondisyon ko sa training and nandoon naman yung coaches para ipush ako and ihabol ako sa sistema na meron kami ngayon sa team.”
Ogunsanya will continue her journey to a new and improved self when the Flying Titans take on Akari on Saturday.
