ARA Galang has declared herself “90 percent ready” for the new UAAP season, 11 months after suffering a serious knee injury.
That means the La Salle team skipper, who suffered damage to her anterior cruciate ligament, medial collateral ligament, and medial meniscus on her left knee, could be very close to top form when the UAAP volleyball tournament opens this year.
La Salle managed to get past National University in the semifinals but without Galang, the unbeaten Ateneo Lady Eagles led by Alyssa Valdez proved too much for the Lady Spikers in the title series.
Galang, who turns 21 on Monday, has been training for two months and says she is ready physically and mentally.
“Mga 90 percent ready na ako,” Galang said, adding she is preparing herself mentaly for a comeback as well.
“Sa akin, hindi na ako apektado. Sabi nga nila ’yun ang mahirap na kalaban e. Pero kasi sa akin kasi, feel mo naman. Sa akin kasi hindi ko na masyado iniisip."
[See Ara Galang faces maximum eight-month layoff after suffering ACL, MCL, medial meniscus damage]
“Aware naman ako sa sinasabi ng marami na ’yung psychological ang mahirap na kalaban e. Dahil sa pagka-aware ko doon, sa akin hindi ko na siya hinahayaang maapektuhan ako.”
Galang, however, played down expectations on her comeback, noting that each rival team has also been preparing hard for the new season.
“Oo, ako ready na. Pero kasi ngayon, feeling ko lahat naman nag-improve, lahat naman naghihirap sa training so for me, lahat naman malakas.”
She admits focus is on back-to-back champion Ateneo, but stresses the battle is not only against the Lady Eagles.
“Siyempre kung mayroon mang isa na team to beat, siyempre ’ yung nasa top. Pero kailangan bago ka makapunta sa top lahat daanan mo (muna) e,” she added.
“Hindi (ko pa) naman (iniisip 'yun), matagal pa ‘yun. One game at a time muna,” she said.
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