BACK AT full strength, UST Golden Tigresses outside hitter Jonna Perdido revealed that she would be returning to the taraflex in UAAP Season 88 after missing the previous season due to a major knee injury.
“I am fully healthy… I started training 6-on-6 last December and I finished my [physical therapy] rehabilitation and right now I can join the scrimmages,” Perdido told The Flame on Thursday, Jan. 29.
Perdido suffered a full anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear in her left knee after an awkward fall during the Shakey’s Super League Preseason Championship bronze medal match against FEU on Nov. 24, 2024.
After missing an entire year of play, the Davao native said the long recovery only deepened her desire to return to the court, as she stayed active and focused on preparing herself both physically and mentally.
“Ine-expect ko sa sarili ko na magpe-perform ako [this season]. Though may injury ako, lalabanan ko ‘yung mindset na matatakot ako,” she said.
(I expect myself to perform this season. Even though I had an injury, I will fight the mindset of being afraid to play.)
“Kailangan ko talaga i-push yung sarili ko to perform this season kasi miss na miss ko na maglaro,” she added.
(I really need to push myself to perform this season because I miss playing so much.)
The veteran spiker, who last played under former head coach Kung Fu Reyes, shared that adjusting to the system of returning mentor Shaq Delos Santos was manageable, especially with much of the Season 86 core still intact.
“So I filled in and I committed to the system of coach Shaq. It was not a big adjustment because my coaches and teammates helped me… same lang din naman ‘yung kasama ko noong Season 86. Mas buo nga kami ngayon,” Perdido said.
(I’m still with the same people from Season 86. We are more solid as a team now.)
Despite coming off from rigorous recovery and rehabilitation in the past year, Perdido said excitement is fueling her comeback.
“Hindi ako natatakot kasi ine-enjoy ko pa ‘yung pagbabalik ko kasi iniisip ko na mas excited ako kaysa sa natatakot ako. Iyon talaga mindset sa sarili ko na dapat ma-excite ako palagi sa training,” Perdido said.
(I’m not afraid because I’m just enjoying my return; I keep thinking that I’m more excited than I am scared. That’s really the mindset I set for myself that I should always be excited for training.)
“‘Yung takot nandiyan naman ‘yan palagi pero i-commit ko lang talaga sarili ko sa training kasi doon magsisimula ‘yung kumpyansa,” she added.
(The fear is always there, but I just really commit myself to training because that’s where the confidence starts.)
The Tigresses will open their campaign against defending champions NU Lady Bulldogs on Sunday, Feb. 15, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
With less than a month before the season starts, Perdido is eager to test herself in her final run with the Tigresses.
“Lahat ako excited na makalaban kasi nagi-impove ‘yung every team and every school so kailangan lang talaga namin na maging buo as a team and be strong as an individual. And kailangan po talaga ng positive mindset every game,” she said.
(I’m excited to face everyone because every team and every school is improving, so we really just need to be united as a team and strong as individuals. And we truly need a positive mindset every game.) F
