In her first competitive appearance after a year-long hiatus, rookie Leila Cruz is making a careful return to form for Capital1 in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference.
Cruz, who sustained a torn ACL during UAAP Season 85, faced a challenging return as the Solar Spikers fell in a four-set battle against Akari to open their season.
“Okay lang siya pero syempre marami pa rin akong lapses na need ko talagang i-work on. Binigyan ko lang din ‘yung sarili ko ng patience kasi I know nga na this is my first game ulit," Cruz shared after the match.
Cruz, a former standout for La Salle and the second overall pick in the inaugural PVL Rookie Draft, recorded seven points in her professional debut, with six of those coming from attacks.
Despite a recent illness that kept her from training until just before the game, Cruz managed to contribute significantly.
“Nagkasakit po kasi ako ng Saturday tapos kahapon lang ako nakabalik sa training. ‘Yun po, kaya wala rin ako masyadong expectations. Pero thankful naman po ako na kahit papaano, naka-survive ako at naka-help ako sa team,” Cruz explained.
Her return was met with optimism, despite the Solar Spikers’ tough loss.
“Proud po ako sa team namin kasi super nilaban naman namin. I know naman talaga na nilaban po namin yung game na ‘yun, mindset lang namin is balik ulit sa training and mag-hard work para makapanalo kami next game," she said.
The 6-foot opposite spiker missed the remainder of Season 85 after her injury and watched from the sidelines as the Lady Spikers clinched the championship against National University.
Her absence extended through Season 86, but Cruz remains determined to regain her peak performance and lift Capital1 up the standings. The team had a disappointing run in the All-Filipino Conference, finishing 11th with just one win.
“I’ll try my best po talaga to work on every skill na pwede kong maging advantage as in I will do my best po talaga to help Capital1 na makaangat kami sa standings," Cruz vowed.
