Mika Reyes has become a part of the availability concerns of the Philippine Women’s National Volleyball team.
For Reyes’ part, though, an injury to her left knee will keep her out of the playing field for at least a month, per head coach Shaq Delos Santos.
“Light injury lang kailangan lang niya ng one month or ano para makapag-recover,” the decorated mentor said.
Reyes played an instrumental role for the Petron Blaze Spikers throughout the 2019 PSL All-Filipino Conference. However, Delos Santos disclosed that the injury bug had already tormented his 6-foot middle blocker in the midst of their campaign.
“Pinapaayos niya yung tuhod niya kasi noong ongoing ‘yung All-Filipino meron na talagang pain na nararamdaman sa tuhod niya,” the former FEU tactician bared.
While Delos Santos acknowledges Reyes’ strong desire to take part in the buildup for the Southeast Asian Games, the decorated bench strategist would like his stalwart to take her time recovering.
“Actually gustong gusto niya pero ayaw din naman namin na pilitin,” said Delos Santos.
“Kasi hangga’t maaari, makapagpagamot muna siya and maka-recover para at least mas maging long term ‘yung paglalaro niya.”
Given the predicament, the 25-year-old will not be with the national pool for the 12-day training camp in Thailand. She’s also not included in the lineup released by the Larong Volleyball Sa Pilipinas Inc. for the Southeast Asian Grand Prix, which is slated from September 20 to 22.
Still, Delos Santos remains upbeat. He believes that Reyes will be ready to suit up by the time they return from their overseas tilt.
“Ngayon, kailangan niya muna mag-recover,” he said.
“I think pagbalik namin makakasama na ulit siya sa team sa ngayon hindi muna kasi magre-recover [pa siya].”