KIANNA Dy and Jolina dela Cruz are living what many believe is probably the worst feeling an athlete can ever have - sitting idly by while nursing injuries that have kept them off from team activities.
It's been more than a year since both saw volleyball action. That was the tailend of F2 Logistics’ run both in the Philippine Superliga and the PVL prior to its disbandment in 2023. Because of injuries, their debut with PLDT (for Dy) and Farm Fresh (for Dela Cruz) in the current PVL season, have been put on indefinite hold.
Such inactivity would have driven both into fits of despair and dissilusionment. Thankfully, however, each has a partner who knows the predicament they are in because they happen to be athletes, too.
‘KKDwight’ lives on
In the case of Dy, his partner is basketball star Dwight Ramos who plays for Gilas. Dela Cruz, on the other hand, has Barangay Ginebra's Ralph Cu by her side and both men have provided the women in their lives unequivocal support as they recover from their injuries.
Dy could not have been more grateful for the support of Ramos, who himself is trying to recover from his own injury. Ramos missed action during Gilas's game against Hong Kong as the coaching staff decided to bench him, worried that he might aggravate his calf injury.
“He’s one of the persons na nagpu-push talaga sa’kin na kaya ko, na I can do stuff that I feel like I can’t do. It’s really good that he understands what I’m going through also. Siya rin na-injure so we’re helping each other get back,” said Dy.
“Doing good," said Dy of her current injury status. "Hopefully no more setbacks, that’s all we’re wishing and hoping.”
New romantics
De la Cruz, meanwhile, is similarly grateful for the support Cu has given her since an injurykept her from returning to action for more than a year.
While both of them are in the early stages of their pro careers, being together and having the same objective in life have given them strength and the right frame of mind to reach their goals.
So in moments when there's a bit of desperation on the part of Dela Cruz because of months of debilitation, Cu was always there to tell Dela Cruz to be patient.
“Kay Ralph naman, lagi naman niya ako nire-remind na tuloy lang. Sayang ‘yung progress [kung] hihinto pa kami. Malapit na rin eh,” said Dela Cruz, of her impending return to the volleyball court.
“Ang sinasabi lang din ni Ralph palagi sa akin na babalik ka rin sa dati or baka mas okay pa, so mas isipin mo na lang ‘yun," Dela Cruz said.
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