Jovelyn Prado injures her knee in PLDT’s loss to Creamline in the PVL Invitational Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Jovy Prado is unlikely to play in PLDT’s crucial match against Chery Tiggo on Tuesday for the last semifinal berth in Pool A in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Invitational Conference.
Prado, who hurt her left knee in their straight-set loss to Creamline two days ago, sat out in the High Speed Hitters’ bounce-back 25-18, 25-17, 26-24 victory over the Gerflor Defenders on Saturday at Philsports Arena.
PLDT coach Rald Ricafort said the team is still waiting for the final diagnosis on her MRI result but he is ruling out the versatile wing spiker next week.
“She injured her knee but there’s no final [diagnosis] yet. With her situation right now, for sure on Tuesday she won’t be able to play,” said Ricafort in Filipino. “We will know her final findings on Monday.”
STAYING MOTIVATED
PLDT’s Fiola Ceballos. –PVL PHOTO
Fiola Ceballos stepped up to fill in the big shoes of Prado with a game-high 13 points on top of nine digs and nine excellent receptions. Libero Kath Arado said that they didn’t let Prado’s absence affect their performance.
“We didn’t let the previous loss affect our game and we stayed motivated after what happened to Ate Jov,” said Arado, who had 20 digs and 11 receptions. “She continues to guide us even she is outside the court. It felt like we didn’t miss her presence inside.”
Prado scored a total of 22 points in her first two games and had nine points last game before she sustained her injury.
Tied at 2-1 in Pool A, PLDT battles Chery Tiggo for the last semis ticket from their group to reach the next round, where defending champion Creamline, the top two teams from Pool B, and visiting Japanese squad Kurashiki Ablaze and Vietnam’s Kinh Bac-Bac Ninhwill play another round-robin.
Arado and the High Speed Hitters brace for the young Crossovers Eya Laure, Joyme Cagande, Imee Hernandez, Cess Robles, and libero Jennifer Nierva led by skipper Mylene Paat.
“We will prepare for Chery because they have young players from the UAAP, who are fighters. I know how they play so we will fight, too, until the end,” she said.
Ricafort wants his wards to shrug off the pressure of their upcoming pivotal match.
“We can’t let the pressure of that game get the better of us because it’s just a normal game. We’re excited to face Chery because of their new players. It should be more of a challenge for us to match their skills and intensity,” he said.