After losing former UAAP Best Blocker Ria Meneses to the pros, the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses needed to recruit someone to beef up their frontline against the powerhouse teams of the league. And their prayers have been answered with 6-foot-1 Filipino-Italian Milena Alessandrini.
During Game Three of the 2017 Chooks-to-Go/PSL Finals, the 20-year-old spiker stood above the audience as she got her first glimpse of what Philippine volleyball is all about.
“Big addition siya kasi the height is there. She played sa school sa Italy pero hindi varsity,” said Golden Tigresses assistant coach Yani Fernandez, explaining why Alessandrini no longer needs to enter residency. “Nawalan din kami ng players like Meneses.
“Even though si Meneses played middle tapos si Milena ay open, malaking addition pa rin talaga siya sa amin.”
Though the physical abilities are there, Fernandez, who was speaking on behalf of Alessandrini, shared that the goal during the off-season is to work on her conditioning. The last time she played competitive volleyball was five months ago.
“Sa Monday pa lang siya mag-start mag-train. We will work sa conditioning ng katawan niya kasi matagal na siyang hindi nakalaro,” Fernandez added.
“I-wo-work out namin yung conditioning niya kasi yung skill naman nandun na, marunong naman siya.”
Even with the hype surrounding the towering spiker, the Golden Tigresses are tempering expectations over the young upstart. But they are still hoping that she at least gives the likes of Jaja Santiago a sweat come the season.
“Sana pero we’re not pressuring her. Sa amin lang, come what may. Pag nag-perform, nag-perform. If not, then hindi.
“She’s still a rookie. Nandun yung expectations pero kasi she’s still adjusting to the style of play in the Philippines. Siyempre iba rin yung sa Italy. Hindi naman makukuha in one click yun, na maa-absorb lahat yun. We will see. Sana mabilis maka-adapt,” shared Fernandez.
But for Alessandrini, she just wants to get her feet wet, excited to represent the school that has groomed her relatives.
“Yes!” she said when asked if she is ready for the season that begins on February 3.
