Lady Eagle Tolentino bares frustration over third ACL injury

MANILA, Philippines — One ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury for an athlete is bad enough. But to go through it 3 times in two and a half years is torture. 

Kat Tolentino, 20, of the Ateneo Lady Eagles bared her frustration and disappointment as she suffered her third career ACL injury, this time on her right knee after two previous ones on her left.

“It’s hard to wrap my head around it still,” the 6-foot student athlete shared Sunday, July 19, looking on in crutches as her team swept the San Sebastian Lady Stags in the Shakey’s V-League 12 Collegiate Conference.  

“I just recovered from my last injury and I’m finally healthy and then this happens. It’s definitely frustrating.” 

Tolentino unexpectedly tore her ACL last Saturday, July 11 during warm-up before Ateneo’s opener against UST. 

The utility spiker said she simply attempted a normal spike on a ball that was “perfectly set” and landed on her right leg.

“It was so weird,” she said. “Maybe my body was not used to landing on one leg and my knee just gave way. I didn’t step on anyone or slip or anything.”

Tolentino is set to have surgery on a yet to be determined day this coming week. After which she will embark on yet another rehabilitation program with her doctors saying she can be good to go in 6 months.

“I’m used to the physical pain but the emotional part is tough. I think that’s the hardest part,” the Fil-Canadian explained.  

“I felt good the game last weekend and I think that’s what threw me off because I felt healthy and I felt strong and it just happens again.”

Tolentino, who was on the roster of Trinity Western University in Canada but never saw action due to her injury, cannot assure an appearance in the upcoming UAAP Season 78 as the Lady Eagles defend their crown and gun for a 3-peat.

“It really depends how I feel mentally. Right now I’m gonna take it one step at a time,” she explained. “I can’t say the amount of months because it’s more mental now for me, it’s not physical anymore. I can take the pain now, I’m so used to the surgery.” 

Tolentino, who is pegged to be of similar caliber as star player Alyssa Valdez, suffered her previous two injuries in December 2013 and in January 2014.

Born to Filipino parents who both studied in UST, Tolentino moved to the Philippines in May after brother Vince, who is part of the Blue Eagles roster, encouraged her to join the volleyball team.

She started playing the sport at 12 years old and has since joined high school varsity. Her college career was interrupted because of her fragile knees. 

She said doctors didn’t explain why she’s injury prone. But Tolentino, who has also been to the Philippines about 4 to 5 times before and has 4 playing years left, is not inclined to look for reasons anymore. 

“I can’t keep asking why,” she said. “Did I not do enough strengthening exercises? Or did I not do this because it’s already done. You can never really explain why it happened.” 

— Rappler.com