After starting libero Rica Rivera went down on Sunday afternoon, the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses may go the rest of the first round without Filipino-Italian rookie Milena Alessandrini.
According to UST head coach Kungfu Reyes, the 6-foot-1 spiker had been suffering from the shoulder injury for quite some time but still wanted to play against the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles.
“Hindi mo mada-doubt ‘yung kagustuhan ng bata makabalik. Talagang nilaban niya na makalaro kanina,” said Reyes.
The 20-year-old still mustered 11 markers in UST’s four-set loss, Sunday evening.
However, Reyes disclosed that Alessandrini could miss the entire first round of the Golden Tigresses, depending on her recovery.
“Siyempre, titignan pa natin. Magpapahinga pa ‘yan and mag-thetherapy. Pero, ayaw na din namin pilitin kask baka lumala pa,” Reyes said, adding that he’s confident with his team despite missing a few players.
“Lalaban at lalaban kami. Malaki ang tiwala ko sa mga bata na what we have is enough para makabangon kami.”
