Milena Alessandrini has no regrets about playing out her final year for the University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament.
After all, she knows in her heart that she gave the UST community her all in her final season despite the mental trauma brought by her previous ACL injury that sidelined her for four long years.
“I’m very grateful. It was a tough season, a tough year, and it’s done. I don’t have any regrets. I did what I could do, gave my best to represent UST,” said the Filipino-Italian spiker, who finished with eight points in the Golden Tigresses’ four-set loss to La Salle in the Final Four last Wednesday.
“I really want to say thank you to the coaches for their patience and for really trying to improve myself, especially mentally. It was a long journey, and no more UAAP for me, so thank you.”
After an impressive rookie season in Season 80, Alessandrini saw her sophomore campaign derailed after suffering an ACL injury in her left knee against Far Eastern University. She missed the scrapped Season 82 and eventually, Season 84.
The former UAAP Rookie of the Year expressed her utmost gratitude to UST and even described her time with the Golden Tigresses as the “best experience” of her life.
“[It] was a wonderful experience. I really thank UST for the opportunity they gave me. Ups and downs, acads, school, UAAP, lots of things, but it was the best experience of my life because it changed everything from Italy to the Philippines,” said the 25-year-old Alessandrini.
“I’m really happy to have given it a try because I’ve never been to the Philippines, so when I had this opportunity, I tried it. I really want to say thank you to UST and the community, the people inside who are a part of all of us.”
Now that her collegiate career is officially over, Alessandrini said that she will focus on getting back to a hundred percent first before weighing her options.
“I still don’t have plans. I think I will fix myself and focus on my recovery and condition, strength. That’s my plan for now,” said Alessandrini.
“It depends on what opportunity I will have because right now, I need to focus on recovering. Then we’ll see what will happen.“
