Adamson University hit a snag once again after losing the services of prized rookie Lucille Almonte for the rest of the UAAP Season 82 Women’s Volleyball Tournament.
According to head coach Lerma Giron, Almonte sustained an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury to her left knee in a tune-up match against College of St. Benilde last January 4.
“She will not be included in the 14-man lineup because she’s having a therapy right now,” Giron disclosed.
“She incurred the injury during a tune-up game against CSB. January 4, birthday ko ‘yun kaya ‘di ko makalimutan.”
The Adamson mentor bared that Almonte already went under the knife, and has been steadily recuperating since then.
The promising outside hitter was a part of the rookie brigade that turned heads in the Lady Falcons’ title conquest of the 2019 PVL Collegiate Conference. There, she averaged 9.7 points per game.
So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that her absence is a huge blow for Giron and her Lady Falcons, who will also be without Bern Flora and Chiara Permentilla. But they remain optimistic on the heels of such a development.
“Maganda lang naman kasi, siyempre, ay resilient tayo. Hindi natin hahayaan mangyari na kapag may nawala tapos na. Of course, pag may nawala, kailangan natin gumawa ng paraan,” Giron said.
“Very confident pa rin naman mga bata kasi marami naman sa 14-man lineup na nag stand out.”
Giron is banking on Gracelchen Ave and Maveth Torres to step up in lieu of their injury-stricken comrade, as the Lady Falcons seek to rise from the ashes after a dismal 2-12 campaign a year ago.
