Cignal's Gonzaga diagnosed with torn ACL, to miss next PSL conference

MANILA, Philippines – The MRI result on Jovelyn Gonzaga’s right knee is finally out, and it’s a major blow to Cignal as it chases another title in the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix.

HD Spikers’ head coach George Pascua revealed that Gonzaga was assessed with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear after suffering a bad landing in the crucial stretch of the Chooks to Go-PSL Grand Prix couple of weeks ago.

One of the country’s brightest stars in local and international arenas, Pascua said Gonzaga is expected to miss the import-flavored Grand Prix, which will kick off on February 17.

He added that Gonzaga is now in the process of strengthening her knee in preparation for an operation around January, something that would sideline her for the next six to eight months.

“The result was released last week and it shows that Jovelyn suffered an ACL,” said Pascua, the noted mentor who made history when he steered Petron to a clean sweep of the All-Filipino Conference in 2015.

“This is a major blow to us as we prepare for the Grand Prix. We know that Jovelyn plays a crucial role in our rotation and we have to be very creative in filling the void left by her absence.”

Pascua added that he is very optimistic that the hardworking Gonzaga can easily get back stronger, better than ever.

“She works so hard,” he said. “But more than that, she’s mentally tough. She’s very positive and remains optimistic that she can get back in shape sooner than expected.”

Gonzaga isn’t the lone HD Spikers who will be sitting out the Grand Prix.

Pascua added that her chief backup — Mylene Paat — would also take a leave as she joins Adamson University in its quest in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).

Middle blocker Maica Morada will also be out of service as she formally moves to Australia while open hitter Janine Marciano also remains doubtful after falling prey to a knee injury in the final stretch of the Grand Prix.

The MRI result on Marciano’s knee would be released next week.

With that, the HD Spikers are contemplating on tapping foreign players who play the opposite and open spikers positions.

“We have no solid plan yet, but we are looking at hiring an opposite and an open spiker as imports,” said Pascua, adding that their chief scorers Rachel Anne Daquis and Honey Royse Tubino would be given some help at the attack zone while filling the void left by Paat and Gonzaga’s absence.

“Let’s see. Anything is possible.”