De La Salle University’s rookie libero, Win Retiro, is expected to return in the second round of the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Tournament after recovering from an MCL injury, head coach Jose Roque said.
Retiro, who was named Best Libero in the 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge, missed the Green Spikers’ last four games this season — including the team’s breakthrough win over the UE Red Warriors at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
According to Roque, the team’s physical therapist has assessed that Retiro will need four weeks to recover, which would make him available for the second round.
“Based on our therapist, four weeks [siya out]. Most probably, second round na. If possible na mabigyan kami ng blessing ngayon dahil sa mga dasal namin, baka before NU or after NU game puwede na,” Roque said.
In his UAAP debut on February 14, Retiro recorded five excellent receptions and five excellent digs in La Salle’s 19-25, 22-25, 19-25 opening day loss to Far Eastern University.
Since then, the Green Spikers have struggled without him, with Neil Flores stepping up as the team’s defensive anchor in consecutive defeats to the UST Golden Spikers, UP Fighting Maroons, and Ateneo Blue Eagles.
La Salle finally broke through with a 27-25, 25-23, 17-25, 25-17 win over University of the East, securing its first Season 88 victory after a 0-4 start — the program’s worst start in the Final Four era of UAAP men’s volleyball.
“MCL siya. Almost the same as MJ [Fortuna], but si MJ mild lang. That’s why nakita niyo kanina, medyo nakakatalon na si MJ. Yung sa kanya, medyo severe kasi. We miss him. Isa rin siya sa core ng team,” Roque added.
The Green Spikers will continue the tournament without Retiro when they face the Adamson University Soaring Falcons on Wednesday, March 11, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
