In her first game back from a major knee injury sustained last UAAP season, De La Salle University star spiker Ara Galang looked like she never missed a beat.
“Wala naman, ‘yung fear totally nawala na sa akin. Siguro, naging aware lang ako kasi madami nang nangyaring ganoon. Maraming instances na may injury na ganoon,” Galang said about her thoughts after overcoming a major injury. “Sabi naman nila, psychological lang naman. Iyon na ang agad kong dinevelop, iyon na ang agad kong inadjust sa akin.”
True enough, the graduating open hitter dropped 10 points and had 5 digs in La Salle’s 29-27, 25-23, 25-20 win against the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws yesterday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
“Sobrang happy, siyempre excited ako na magagawa ko na ulit ‘yung dati and mapapakita ko pa ‘yung talent ko,” Galang remarked. “Ngayon happy kasi nakapaglaro ako at happy kasi nanalo kami.”
“Actually excited talaga ako and I feel blessed kasi nasa first six pa rin ako at unang-una nakapasok ako sa lineup ng team.”
However, despite having had a feel-good performance in her season debut, Galang stressed that she still needs time to fine-tune her craft in order for her to surpass her current level of play.
“For me, hindi pa rin ako contented pero darating naman ako doon for sure,” she added. “First game of the season [pa lang] so medyo understandable pa.”
“Sa akin, personally, ‘yung mag-improve ako. Hindi lang ‘yung mabalik ang game ko dati pero ma-exceed ko pa ang level ko.”
Later on, Galang also shared that as one of the team’s senior players, she has the responsibility of guiding her younger teammates in the grueling grind of the UAAP Volleyball season. In a season full of unexpected twists and intense duels, her experience will come in handy for everyone in the team.
“Mas marami akong alam since matanda na ako. Iyon ang talagang [mabibigay] ko sa team,” she further elaborated. “Hindi lang ‘yung taga-points, hindi lang taga-score pero ako ‘yung nandiyan kahit anong mangyari.”
La Salle’s next game will be this coming Saturday, 2:00 pm, against the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons at the Philsports Arena.
