Galang to Lady Spikers: ‘Season is not yet done’

MANILA, Philippines – One Archer down does not mean the battle is lost.

Injured De La Salle Lady Spikers team captain Ara Galang took to Instagram Sunday night, March 8 to deliver the message a simple yet powerful message for her teammates: the season is not over yet.

The ace spiker encouraged her teammates to trudge on without her as La Salle tries to overcome the thrice-to-beat defending champions Ateneo Lady Eagles starting Wednesday, March 11.

“Season is not yet done,” she wrote. “I won’t be able to play for the finals with my team but will surely be with them spiritually. I still believe with my team!”

Galang, who suffered a season-ending injury during their knockout game against National University last Saturday, radiated positivity despite the possibility of being sidelined for 8 months.

“I know I can handle this because of you guys,” she wrote in her post, which included a quote of head coach Ramil de Jesus saying the team must go on no matter what. “Thank you everyone for the love and care. I’m so blessed, so blessed. All is well.”

The fourth year former co-Most Valuable Player sustained tears in her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), medial collateral ligament (MCL) and medial miniscus, and a big bone bruise. The cause of which was said to be fatigue.

She is expected to undergo surgery in a month once the swelling subsides.

Galang received an outpouring of support from fans and fellow UAAP athletes following Saturday’s game, including Lady Bulldogs coach Roger Gorayeb.

Gorayeb also admitted that while it is not entirely impossible for La Salle to defeat his former team Ateneo, the Taft-based crew will have to dig very deep to do it.

(READ: Reyes: DLSU to use Galang injury as ‘inspiration and motivation)

In Galang’s absence, the multi-titled La Salle will have to rely on Mika Reyes, Kim Fajardo, Cyd Demecillo, Desiree Cheng, and rookie Christine Soyud to overcome an Alyssa Valdez-led Lady Eagles, who swept the eliminations for an outright Finals berth.

Galang, a 2012 Rookie of the Year, averaged 17 points a game throughout the eliminations this season.

Caption: Season is not yet done. I won’t be able to play for the finals with my team but will surely be with them spiritually. I still believe with my team! Lord you are Amazing! I know you’ll be with me and my team. Thank you so much for all of the people who motivates and encourages me. I can’t show you guys how I appreciate it but I do. Thank you so much! I know I can handle this because of you guys. Thank you everyone for the love and care. I’m so blessed, so blessed. ALL IS WELL.

– Rappler.com