Ara Galang is back, but still wants to improve

MANILA, Philippines – She’s back like she never left – at least that’s what former De La Salle University team captain Aby Maraño said prior to the team’s season opener.

DLSU Lady Spikers star Ara Galang had shown as much in a strong comeback from injuries in an opening victory in the UAAP 78 women’s volleyball tournament. 

Galang unleashed 10 lethal kills yesterday to propel the Lady Spikers to their first win against the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, 29-27, 25-23, 25-20. The Season 75 Most Valuable Player is slowly but surely getting to tip-top shape.

The last time she had been on a UAAP court, she was stretchered off after suffering season-ending tears in her left ACL and MCL. The 21-year-old outside hitter registered 25 points before landing awkwardly and hurting her left knee against the NU Lady Bulldogs in the semifinals, and would have to watch from the sidelines as Ateneo defeated DLSU to win their second straight title. 

Now that she’s overcome her injury, Galang says there’s no holding back.

“Hindi ko lang dapat mabalik yung game ko dati pero ma-exceed ko pa ‘yun. Mag improve pa ako,” she said.

(I shouldn’t just merely be back to my old form but exceed my game. I should improve more.)

Despite the victory, Galang admitted she wasn’t satisfied with her performance in DLSU’s season opener. DLSU assistant coach Benson Bocboc estimates she’s at 85%, but the ace spiker is confident she’ll be back at full strength soon.

 “For me, hindi parin ako contented pero dadating din naman ako dun for sure,” Galang added. 

(I wasn’t really contented but I know I’ll get there.) 

The season isn’t only about her own recovery. As one of the team’s veterans, she has accepted the role of mentor to a squad which features a number of young rookies.

“Siguro yung pagka senior ko rin ang maitutulong ko. Marami na akong alam at andiyan ako kahit ano mangyari.” 

(I can help through my experiences as a veteran. I now know a lot of things and I’m always here no matter what happens.)

She added that they still have a whole new season to go and there’s still a lot of adjustments to be made. But at the end of the day, Ara Galang just wants to go home with a win and a smile on her face.

“Happy ako kasi nakapag laro ako, happy kasi nanalo kami.”

(I’m happy because I was able to play, because we won.) – Rappler.com