By: Ohmer Bautista
In the Creamline Cool Smashers’ curtain-raiser against the Petro Gazz Angels, Alyssa Valdez apparently incurred a left ankle injury.
“Masakit ang ankle ko,” said Valdez, who had moments last conference of willing herself through injuries.
Tied at 16-all in the second set, the Petro Gazz towering defense roofed Heather Guino-o. In an attempt to unshackle the scores and will her team back from an opening set defeat, Valdez tried to salvage the ball that was about to go out bounds.
But as she shifted momentum, she slipped and fell hard.
“Pag-change ko ng direction. So pagka-change ko, ‘di ko alam kung nadulas ako o natapilok ako at the same time. Yung momentum ko pa-left tapos magche-change ako direction ng pa-right, naiwan yung paa ko. Hindi ko alam kung nadulas o naano,” the five-time PVL MVP recalled.
“Pero okay lang naman.
“Usually nai-sprain ako ‘pag tatalon, pero ‘di ako masyado nai-sprain sa mga lateral… Parang first time ko,” the 25-year-old outside hitter added.
Enveloped by pain, she was aided off the court as she underwent first aid measures.
As of writing, she has yet to return in the game.
“‘Di ko pa alam (ang diagnosis). Kapag natanggal ang ice siguro I’ll know.”
