The unbeaten Lady Spikers suffered a huge roster loss.
De La Salle University Lady Spikers stalwart Leila Cruz is out with an ACL injury on her right knee.
La Salle assistant coach Noel Orcullo confirmed this in the aftermath of a 30-28, 25-12, 28-26 win over Far Eastern University Tamaraws in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament on Wednesday.
“Sad to say she got an ACL. So tanggapin na lang namin,” Orcullo bared, adding the results came out on Tuesday.
“Although 'yung bata positive naman sa sarili niya. Kung ano mang magiging outcome ng MRI niya tatanggapin nya. 'Yun nga lang nawalan kami ng isang vital part sa team so we have to move on.”
Cruz suffered the injury in La Salle’s previous game against the National University Lady Bulldogs.
Despite the injury, the 6-foot-1 spiker showed up at the Mall of Asia Arena with a knee brace to support her teammates in their conquest of the Tamaraws.
In her stead, Jyne Soreño stepped up and contributed 8 points as La Salle rolled to its ninth straight win in as many games.
“Good break din to para kay Jyne para tumaas kumpiyansa niya sa mga future games namin,” said star Jolina dela Cruz.
Super rookie Angel Canino said this will only serve as inspiration for the team moving forward.
“Siyempre sobrang bigat kasi teammate namin 'yun. Lahat kami inaalagaan bawat isa. Pero kailangan naming lumaban para sa kanya. Mas papakita namin na kahit kulang kami kaya namin. Para po 'yun kay ate Leila,” she said.
(With reports from Mei-Lin Lozada, One Sports Digital)