The UAAP Season 81 Women’s Volleyball tournament has, unfortunately, seen injuries to key players from several teams. Far Eastern University’s Lycha Ebon, National University’s Joyme Cagande, and University of Santo Tomas’ Milena Alessandrini have all missed time due to serious knee injuries.
When University of the Philippines co-skipper Isa Molde went down clutching her left leg in the second set against the Ateneo De Manila University, there was an audible gasp within the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
There were fears that Molde might have a serious injury, as she experienced pain in her left knee and ankle. However, it seems that the Season 78 Rookie of the Year might not miss a lot of time.
According to UP head coach Godfrey Okumu, Molde most likely sprained her ankle, a far less threatening injury than anything to the knee.
“What I know is she’s gonna be fine. It’s nothing serious,” said the Kenyan mentor, adding that Molde is unlikely to play on Wednesday against the University of the East.
“But what we don’t know is how long she’s gonna stay out. She’s going for x-rays, then after the x-rays, we’ll be able to talk further about it. Probably, I think it should be a sprain on the ankle. Nothing on the knee.”
Molde will undergo examinations at the Philippine General Hospital. Results are expected within the next few days.
For now, UP have to figure out a new rotation without Molde. In the third set against Ateneo, UP went to a lineup that had Tots Carlos and Justine Dorog on the left wing, while Marian Buitre occupied the right.
This adjustment will probably be Okumu’s go-to until Molde returns.
“What I think, and I believe, I mean… A soldier is a soldier. If you are there to fight, you cannot spend time grieving over a fallen fellow,” Okumu said.
“You just keep on doing it for them. So, probably that could have played a factor. But again I just say that in that set, we were not sharp enough. We started slow, and the effect was felt.”
