Jolina dela Cruz made a triumphant return with Farm Fresh but said it would not have been possible without the encouragement and total support of her partner Ralph Cu.
READ: Jolina returns to venue where she tore her ACL as conqueror
Cu, who plays for Barangay Ginebra in the PBA, was solidly behind dela Cruz as the volleyball star went through 14 months of rehabilitation after she tore her ACL during a game in late 2023.
During this time when she had to deal with stress and recurring doubts on whether she would be able to make a comeback, it was Cu who kept reassuring her that things will turn out fine if she perseveres and as long as she maintains the discipline to go through the rehab process.
It's the never-say-die spirit, as some would put it, which Cu knows all too well as a player with Ginebra.
“Mino-motivate ko lang siya every day na hindi siya makakabalik kapag hindi niya gawin ‘yung rehab niya eh. Kailangan niya maging matiyaga sa rehab niya at nutrition niya,” Cu said.
“Lagi ko lang siyang nire-remind at mino-motivate na para makabalik siya, kailangan niyang gawin ‘yun.”
A 20-point showcase in her first game back against NXLed in the same place where she tore her ACL proved how dela Cruz’s determination and Cu's support paid off.
His wish for her partner moving forward?
To be spared from any more injuries and setbacks.
“I’m very proud of her kasi it’s been a very tough year for her eh. ‘Yung recovery and rehab niya, mahirap, sobrang hirap. Nakikita ko every day ‘yung hard work niya.
Cu added: “Proud ako na nakabalik na rin siya and God-willing na wala nang injuries na dumaan sa career niya.”
When she finally made it back on the court,Cu and their other friends were there, watching eagerly, some with trepidation, as de la Cruz played, gingerly at first before finally embracing that she is indeed back with timely hits and blocks.
“Sobrang grateful ko sa kanya kasi all throughout my recovery, nandun siya sa journey na ‘yun (hanggang sa comeback ko),” the Farm Fresh star said.
“As an athlete din, alam niya ‘yung nararamdaman kong pagka-miss sa volleyball kaya nandiyan talaga siya all the way para sumupport sa’kin.”
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
