PVL: Akari’s Chiara Permentilla relishes best game since long return from injury

Chiara Permentilla. PVL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Chiara Permentilla played her best game yet since returning from an ACL injury she sustained in 2019.

Her performance couldn’t have come at a better time for Akari, which was desperate for a breakthrough win heading into its game against a struggling Army-Black Mamba side on Tuesday.

Regaining her old form, Permentilla displayed her all-around brilliance with 13 points, 10 digs and eight excellent receptions.

“It feels good to be back on the court. It feels good because I went through a long journey and a long process,” said Permentilla after the Chargers beat the Lady Troopers, 25-18, 25-19, 23-25, 25-19.

“At first, I was just on the sidelines, then slowly getting back on the court. I got lined up and I got to play again. I fought for this. It’s been so long.”

Permentilla backstopped Dindin Santiago-Manabat, who led all scorers with 23 points to lift Akari to its first victory after a 0-3 start.

“I’m so proud of Chiara. Of course, I also experienced an ACL injury so I saw how she went double-time to recover and she did not quit. She’s the first to attend rehab or activation so just by that alone, you can see that she did not quit,” said Manabat.

Permentilla hurt her left knee while playing for Marinerang Pilipina in the defunct Philippine Super Liga in 2019. The injury also forced her to miss the UAAP Season 82.

She’s been on a grueling road to recovery since before she found a new home with Akari in the PVL.

“Last season, she was there every single day. The guys had a day off but she was there, also training. She just focused on the next step or next level she can be this year,” said Akari coach Jorge Souza de Brito, whose squad takes on PLDT on February 28.

“She proved to herself and to everyone that when you trust yourself and the process, you can be here,” he added.