After almost two years on the sidelines due to a right knee injury, Kianna Dy finally made her highly anticipated return to the court, debuting for PLDT in the Premier Volleyball League on Tuesday night.
The 5-foot-10 opposite spiker injured her right knee on July 20, 2023, during the round-robin semifinals of the 2023 PVL Invitational Conference while playing for the now-defunct F2 Logistics.
A full 558 days later, Dy made her first on-court appearance with her new team, the High Speed Hitters.
Though her appearance was brief, entering in the fourth set with PLDT leading 16-7 over Cignal alongside fellow Lasallians Kim Fajardo and Mika Reyes, it marked a significant moment after a lengthy and ongoing recovery process.
“I guess as a player I’ve been more patient with myself because of the journey of me being here right now wasn’t really easy. It’s been a hard year,” said an emotional Dy after PLDT beat Cignal, 25-20, 25-21, 20-25, 25-22.
“I’m still trying to get to my 100 percent and I’m slowly getting there. It hasn’t been easy but thankfully with my teammates and my coaches, they make it easier for me kahit hirap na hirap na ako.”
(C) PVL Images
Dy, a De La Salle University product, was visibly still adjusting. According to head coach Rald Ricafort, Dy wasn’t even expected to play in this game.
However, when the opportunity arose, they decided to give her a chance to experience the game and integrate into her new team.
“Actually dapat hindi pa sya today kasi based sa progress ng recovery niya, kakatry niya lang mag back-to-back na hard training, nakaisa pa lang, so iniincorporate pa lang siya unti-unti pero nasubukan nang maaga-aga,” said Ricafort.
“Talagang complicated and mahirap yung naging process sa kanya, kahit siya nagiging impatient na rin at times pero gusto talaga namin na kapag nakabalik siya, less na yung iisipin niya saka talagang fluid na yung galaw. At least nasubukan namin ngayon, hopefully magtuloy tuloy na yung recovery.”
Dy expressed her gratitude, particularly for the familiar faces around her, including former F2 Logistics and La Salle teammates now with PLDT.
“Of course, super excited. I haven’t played in the game for more than a year now and to be with new teammates. Since I’m new sa team, super excited to play because I was with my team before for the past years and just to play with new faces is so refreshing. I was just really happy to be part of the team,” said Dy.
“May familiar faces pa rin. Para siyang naging mini reunion with Savi, sila Kath so super happy, choosing PLDT also with sila ate Ye (Mika Reyes) La Salle people so it’s been an easy transition for us in PLDT. Really happy for that.”
