Kat Tolentino PHOTO BY TRISTAN TAMAYO/INQUIRER.net
There was much anticipation on Fil-Canadian rookie Kat Tolentino and her debut with the Ateneo Lady Eagles in the Shakey’s V-League Collegiate Conference.
Tolentino’s debut, however, will have to wait a little longer after she sustained an apparent right knee injury as she was warming up just minutes before the Lady Eagles faced the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses.
The 6-foot-2 Tolentino took the injury in a different light instead of beating herself up for what happened.
“It’s okay because the focus is really the UAAP,” said Tolentino.
“She’s working hard and she has a lot of time to prepare for the UAAP,” said Ateneo star Alyssa Valdez of Tolentino.
READ: Alyssa Valdez-less Ateneo beats UST in V-League opener | Valdez ‘proud’ of Ateneo teammates in win over UST without her
Ateneo assistant coach Parley Tupaz, who called the shots with head coach Tai Bundit back in his home country of Thailand for vacation, said Tolentino was likely out for the rest of the V-League tournament.
“We might not let her play in the V-League anymore even if she recovers quickly to prepare her for the UAAP,” Tupaz said after Ateneo turned back UST in four sets.
Tupaz added that Tolentino will undergo MRI on Monday to know the extent of her injury.
The team’s doctor has ruled out a possible ACL injury.
“The PT told us that her knee didn’t twist and that she just needs some rest,” Tupaz said.
Jia Morado (knee) is also out for Ateneo. The Lady Eagles, however, encountered little problems against the Tigresses despite having an injury-depleted lineup with Jho Maraguinot anchoring a balanced game.
With Tolentino not likely to suit up for Ateneo in the V-League, the promising rookie’s debut won’t happen until January when the UAAP volleyball tournament unfolds where the Lady Eagles are eyeing a third straight championship.