BACARRA, ILOCOS NORTE — After missing Creamline’s last five games due to an ankle sprain, Jeanette Panaga finally made her return last Wednesday.
And the four-time PVL Best Middle Blocker made sure to announce her comeback in the biggest of ways.
Panaga dropped 13 points off a game-high six blocks in an all-important five-set win over Choco Mucho, 18-25, 25-9, 21-25, 25-18, 15-6, at the PCV Socio-Civic and Cultural Center here.
It could not have come at a better time as the win against the Flying Titans helped the Cool Smashers punch their ticket to the semifinals.
“Sobrang namiss ko maglaro kasi in the past few weeks nagpahinga ako gusto ko na talagang mag laro nung last few games,” said Panaga, who sprained her right ankle against Black Mamba-Army last July 22
“Sobrang namiss ko talaga maglaro ngayon, gusto kong bumawi, gusto kong mag contribute sa team para maganda galaw.”
The former College of St. Benilde stalwart, however, is not yet a hundred percent physically.
“Meron pang konti pero mind over body,” bared the 26-year-old Panaga.
“May maga so ininuman ko lang ng gamot. Thankful ako sa PT at sa coaches dahil sa kanila mas mabilis recovery ko.”
With Panaga back in the fold, Creamline will have a complete arsenal heading to the last and final week of the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference.
The Cool Smashers will take on the skidding Perlas Spikers on Friday at 1:00 PM for their last assignment in the eliminations.
