Milena Alessandrini conquered another ghost when University of Santo Tomas staged the mother of all upsets against De La Salle University on Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Fil-Italian spiker delivered 20 points on 17 attacks and three blocks as the Golden Tigresses came through with a 25-19, 14-25, 25-18, 25-12 victory.
It was at the Big Dome where Alessandrini injured her knee back in UAAP Season 81. That led to her not playing the sport for almost four years until she returned to UST and the Philippines in late 2022.
“Actually, I was very scared since my injury here, I didn’t play anymore here,” shared Alessandrini after the match.
“I was very scared but I have to do what I can do because last time we were here against Adamson, I didn’t play. So today I tried to come.”
The 25-year-old outside hitter was referring to the Tigresses’ game against the Lady Falcons in the first round, where she did not play.
Before that game, UST outlasted National University in five sets. Alessandrini sprained her right ankle in the fourth set but fought through it in the fifth.
After her outstanding performance today, the 6-foot-1 Alessandrini is optimistic for what’s to come for her.
“It’s a new day, it’s a new chapter, it’s a new environment than many years ago. I can try to surpass it, to play, and try my best for the team,” said the upbeat Alessandrini.
“At first I was like, ‘oh, here again’ but then it’s okay. I can do it. I can fight. It was a challenge and I’m happy no injury, no bad things happened.”
UST skipper Eya Laure also helped Alessandrini process her return to Araneta.
Laure, who exploded for a season-high 29 points, paralleled Alessandrini’s comeback to the place where she got injured to her very own experience. The 5-foot-10 spiker played at the SM Mall of Asia Arena again after spraining her ankle at the same venue in Game 1 of the Season 81 Finals.
“Knowing na ito yung place kung saan siya na-ACL, kinakausap ko lang siya kung ano yung experience ko dati na nung first game ko nung MOA. Doon din ako na-sprain, ganon. Doon ko parang pinaghugutan ng lakas na sa game na ito, paglaro ko ulit, kailangan maayos yung ilalaro ko. Kailangan yung last na Eya na nakita nila na na-sprain, kailangan hindi na yun,” Laure told her senior.
“Siguro may trauma sa kanya kasi dito nangyari. Pero masaya ako kasi nakikinig si Ate Amiga na inspiration na dito ka natumba, dito ka rin babangon, dito ka tatayo.”
Head coach Kungfu Reyes also shared his happiness on how Alessandrini is slowly killing the ghosts of the past.
“Malaking bagay para sa amin kasi nga emotionally, mentally, yun yung medyo nada-down siya sa ganong bagay. Ngayon na-overcome niya. Nakita niyo yung result,” said Reyes.
With all the support she’s getting from her teammates, her coaches, and the whole UST community, Alessandrini is just grateful.
She’s grateful that after multiple setbacks since she got injured, UST stayed with her through it all.
“I’m really grateful because they always give me support, they understand my feelings, they try to push myself in a positive way. Thank you for staying at my side and for helping me improve and learn, I’m really thankful.”
