GOLDEN Tigresses outside hitter Milena Alessandrini will be out of action for at least two weeks after a partial anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear in the left knee, assistant coach Yani Fernandez confirmed to the Varsitarian.
Alessandrini was also diagnosed with a sprain on her left medial collateral ligament (MCL) and lateral collateral ligament (LCL), the coach said.
The Filipino-Italian sophomore will play with a knee support if found stable after two weeks of rehabilitation, but an operation will be needed if not, Fernandez said.
Alessandrini sustained the injury during UST’s 25-19, 20-25, 19-25, 25-27 loss to the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws on Saturday.
She was stretchered out of the court late in the second set after hurting her left knee from a bad fall.
This is Alessandrini’s second major injury after suffering a partial tear in her right shoulder last season that caused her to miss five outings.
Despite her absence, head coach Emilio “Kung Fu” Reyes Jr. said the team will continue to perform and focus on their individual skills.
Alessandrini has been a solid contributor to the Tigresses, averaging 15.6 points in UST’s first three outings this season. She was last year’s Rookie of the Year. with reports from Ivan Ruiz L. Suing
