Imee Hernandez opened up about undergoing a third ACL revision surgery, calling it one of the toughest challenges of her career as she vowed to keep fighting.
Imee Hernandez has opened up about facing one of the most difficult chapters of her career after undergoing a third anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) revision surgery.
In a heartfelt social media post, Hernandez admitted that sharing her situation did not come easily, especially given the weight of going through another ACL procedure.
"I've been going back and forth about sharing this. It took me a while to find the courage because the thought of revising my ACL for the 3rd time still breaks my heart," Hernandez wrote.
The former UST standout did not shy away from the reality of her situation, describing the latest injury as one of the toughest challenges she has had to accept as a professional athlete.
"It has been one of the hardest realities I've had to accept as a professional volleyball player. It is scary and heavy," she said.
Despite the emotional toll, Hernandez made it clear that she has no plans of letting the injury define the end of her journey.
"But I refuse to let this be the end of my story. This journey may be painful, but it’s also proof that resilience lives here. And if my story can remind even one person to keep fighting, then it's worth sharing," she added.
Hernandez signed with Strong Group Athletics in the recent offseason before being assigned to the Farm Fresh Foxies.
The 25-year-old turned professional in the 2023 PVL Invitational Conference with the Chery Tiggo Crossovers.
Hernandez's two-year stint with the Crossovers, however, was largely disrupted by injury. During her rookie campaign, she suffered a left knee injury after an awkward fall in a match against the Nxled Chameleons, sidelining her for an extended stretch.
It took nearly 20 months before she was able to return to game action during the 2025 PVL On Tour.
[ALSO READ: Imee Hernandez marks emotional return with Chery Tiggo win in PVL on Tour play]
When healthy, Hernandez has shown the ability to contribute on both ends of the floor, providing a reliable scoring option and a strong blocking presence in the middle.
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Kiko Demigillo’s journey in sports storytelling began with a deep passion for games and athletes, which eventually grew into a full-fledged career.
Now a dedicated sportswriter, Kiko covers a wide range of beats for One Sports, including the PVL, UAAP, PBA, and various international tournaments.