After helping Galeries Tower string its franchise’s first back-to-back victories in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference, Graze Bombita looks back on her healing journey from a left knee ACL injury.
It may have taken quite some time, but Graze Bombita is starting to regain her old, prolific form.
The 5-foot-7 outside hitter suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear on her left knee in a pre-game warm-up in what was supposed to be her debut game for the Cignal HD Spikers in the opening week of the 2022 PVL Open Conference.
Bombita had to go through a year of grueling recovery before making her way back to Cignal’s fold. However, she barely saw the court as her physical condition was still far from tiptop shape.
The 33-year-old stalwart would then part ways with the HD Spikers and would later find a new family in the Galeries Tower Highrisers.
In the 2023 Second All-Filipino Conference, Bombita played limited minutes in the maiden campaign of Galeries Tower, only seeing a spike in usage at the latter portion of the tournament.
“Ups and downs talaga, hindi siya naging madali talaga. Hindi, kumbaga, lahat talaga pagdadaanan mo – emotionally, mentally, spiritually and physically. Pero pinaka-challenge talaga 'yung sa mentally,” she bared.
Still, amid the struggles, Bombita kept the faith and worked doubly hard. Soon, things have begun to look up for her.
Bombita has been seeing a steady rise in time and production on the court for the Highrisers in the 2024 All-Filipino Conference.
She even proved instrumental in the franchise’s first back-to-back victories in the league, delivering 12 points in a five-set escape over Capital1 a week ago before following it up with a 16-point showing in a rousing sweep of Strong Group Athletics on Saturday.
Bombita could not help but feel emotional as she reflected on her healing journey. She also took the time to express gratitude to everyone who gives her strength to keep pressing on.
“Sobrang happy ako and grateful ako doon sa mga taong andun na sumuporta during my downs kasi nandun sila talaga. Kumbaga sila 'yung naging kamay ko na umangat paunti-unti [until] naibalik ko 'yung laro ko,” she shared.