Jonna Perdido sat out the entirety of UAAP Season 87 after suffering a torn ACL, leaving the UST Golden Tigresses without one of their most effective outside spikers.
Now healthy, Perdido is determined to maximize the time she missed as she looks to close out her collegiate career at UST on a high note.
“Gigil na gigil akong makabalik,” she told the Varsitarian. “One year din akong ‘di nakalaro, and this Season 88, I think magiging baon ko is pagiging patient sa sarili ko and a positive mindset.”
Perdido spent Season 87 rehabbing from ACL surgery after sustaining the injury during a Shakey’s Super League match against the FEU Lady Tamaraws in January 2024.
Following her role in the Golden Tigresses’ runner-up finish in Season 86, Perdido committed to once again being a key contributor to UST’s title push.
“Iniisip ko ‘yong team, na maangat ko sila sa tulong ko, and kailangan kong tulungan sila sa court,” she said.
Perdido arrived at UST in late 2021 after establishing herself as a standout outside spiker at Tagum City National Comprehensive High School in Davao del Norte.
Within the Tigresses program, she initially served as an understudy to Eya Laure before eventually stepping into a larger role in Season 86.
She treated the team’s in-house training camp in Japan as her preseason preparation for the upcoming season.
“Noong Shakey’s [Super League] wala ako; so, ‘yong training camp lang ‘yong opportunity para maibalik ‘yong kompyansa ko, and siyang preseason ko,” she said.
Perdido also underscored UST’s role in guiding her development both as a player and as an individual.
“Noong hindi pa ako player, mahina ‘yong loob ko. Pero nung naging player na ako, ‘yong mindset ko nagiging palaban. So, nadala ko siya sa labas ng court. Kaya rin siguro mas naging matapang ako ngayon after ng recovery,” she said.
The Tigresses will open the new season against the NU Lady Bulldogs on Feb. 15 at the Mall of Asia Arena at 3 p.m. Rich Harry A. Marbella
