Milena Alessandrini played the bronze medal match as if she was going for gold.
The sophomore Filipino-Italian open hitter pounded an impressive triple-double – scoring a career-high 31 points to go with 15 digs and and 11 excellent receptions – and towed the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses past the Adamson University Lady Falcons in five sets, 25-20, 27-29, 25-13, 19-25, 17-15, in their first match for PVL Collegiate Conference bronze.
The 6-foot-1 winger had a tumultuous debut in UAAP Season 80, getting derailed by a right shoulder injury early in the first round.
Still working past pain in the same shoulder, Alessandrini admits that she is still adjusting to UST’s system.
“Kumbaga naga-adjust pa rin siya. Siyempre hindi pa naman siya gamay lalo nung UAAP. Kita niyo naman kasi nga ‘yung shoulder niya,” Alessandrini said through her aunt, Cora.
“Ngayon bumabawi naman. Tignan natin. Sana gumaling na ‘yung (shoulder). Basta, nagpapasalamat siya sa mga coaches niya kasi marami siyang natutunan.”
With the Tigresses looking promising for UAAP Season 81, head coach Kungfu Reyes savors Alessandrini’s continued improvement, especially on floor defense.
“Fighter talaga ‘yung bata. Hindi mo makekwestiyon ‘yung effort noong bata,” said Reyes.
“Mabilis nga ‘yung improvement niya. Ngayon, mas maganda ‘yung pinapakita niya, lalo na sa depensa. Hopefully, mag-improve pa siya lalo.”
