Joeven dela Vega is officially back on the Spikers’ Turf Taraflex.
After missing the 2025 Open Conference due to a serious health issue, Dela Vega has worked his way back to full strength. And he is ready to rejoin the PGJC-Navy Sealions for the upcoming 2025 Invitational Conference, which begins on Monday, October 27, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
According to a Facebook post by his wife last March, Dela Vega was hospitalized for three weeks with an inconclusive diagnosis and even had to undergo surgery.
After being discharged, Dela Vega admitted he thought his volleyball career was over.
“That time nung paglabas ko ng ospital, akala ko hindi na ako makakabalik kasi sobrang hirap. Nag-lost ako ng more than 10 kilos, so mabuti nga pinauwi ako ng coach namin, pina-recover. So that time pinilit ko talaga yung katawan ko,” he recalled during the league press conference on October 20 at Discovery Suites in Ortigas.
“Hindi naman sobrang pilit na pilit. At least maibalik lang so nung bumalik na ako dito sa Manila, madali na lang para sa akin kasi physically, okay na ako. Sa training, bola okay na.”
(C) Spikers’ Turf Images
Determined to return in top form, Dela Vega dedicated himself to recovery and conditioning, aiming to help the Sealions climb back to the Spikers’ Turf podium.
With Dela Vega and several key players missing the Open Conference earlier this year due to Navy schooling, the Sealions struggled and finished last among six teams.
“Super excited kasi ito naman yung gusto ko eh. Hinabol ko yung kundisyon ng katawan ko para makalaro this coming conference. Hopefully, maka-compete nang maayos,” he said.
“Sa ngayon, nagbola na ako mga two months na eh, pero five months na ano puro physical activities. Jogging, palakas ng katawan talaga kasi doon ako nadale eh, so pagbalik ko dito sa nagbola na, mabilis na lang,” added the former national team member.
“Sa ngayon step by step muna, isa-isa lang kasi yun nga, last time medyo hindi maganda yung status ng team namin. Hopefully, this coming conference maka-compete kami sa malalakas na team saka umangat din. One game at a time lang.”
PGJC-Navy will kick off its campaign on Monday against Criss Cross in the main game at 6:00 PM at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Now with a complete lineup, the Sealions are looking to go all out for a semifinal berth, where guest teams Kindai University of Japan and ProVolley Academy of Australia are expected to raise the level of competition in the season-ending Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference.
