De La Salle University opposite spiker Leila Cruz has suffered an ACL injury on her right knee, assistant coach Noel Orcullo bared on Wednesday after their straight sets win against Far Eastern University.
The 6-foot Cruz incurred the injury during the first set of the Lady Spikers’ second round match against National University last Saturday at the Philsports Arena.
La Salle received the unfortunate medical results yesterday, Tuesday.
“Sad to say, she got an ACL,” said Orcullo.
“Tanggapin na lang namin although yung bata naman positive naman sa sarili niya na kung ano man ang magiging outcome ng MRI niya tatanggapin naman niya,” added the assistant coach.
“Yun nga lang talagang nawalan kami ng isang vital part sa team so we have to move on.”
Cruz has been a key piece in the Lady Spikers’ defense being 10th in the league in blocking with 12 kill blocks as of March 25, an average of 0.44 per set.
She has made 37 total points on 24 attacks as well.
Jyne Soreño started in the place of Cruz against the Lady Tamaraws and produced eight points including crucial ones in the extended third set.
“Sobrang motivated ko po kasi sila coaches, yung mga teammates ko pinupush talaga nila ako. For Leila naman, willing akong magsupport talaga sa team, willing akong magcontribute,” said Soreño.
Rookie Angel Canino has also shown support for her “Ate” Leila by fighting for her inside the court.
With Cruz out for an extended time, all the more that the Lady Spikers should step it up.
“Syempre po sobrang bigat kasi syempre teammate po namin yan eh. Lahat po kami inaalagaan namin ang bawat isa so sobrang bigat po sa amin pero hindi naman namin kailangan ipakita yun, kailangan namin lumaban para po sa kanya,” said Canino who did it all with 16 points, 15 excellent receptions, and 14 digs.
“Hindi po kami titigil dahil nabibigatan na kami, hindi po kami madadala sa emotion dahil doon. Mas ipapakita po namin na kahit kulang po kami ng isang player, kaya po namin and para po yun kay Ate Leila.“
