Jolina delays Farm Fresh debut

Prized winger Jolina dela Cruz's debut donning the Farm Fresh uniform would have to wait as she recovers from a successful right knee surgery with just a little over a month before the 2024 Premier Volleyball League opens.

Dela Cruz bared in an Instagram post on Wednesday evening that she went under the knife just days after the Foxies officially announced the signing of the former F2 Logistics rising star.

The De La Salle University product expressed optimism about her recovery to finally get back into action after sustaining a knee injury last November during the 2nd All-Filipino Conference.

"Surgery was a success! Now let's get this recovery started. Day 1," Dela Cruz wrote.

Dela Cruz and Farm Fresh, however, did not disclose what injury she sustained and the timeline of her return.

The outside spiker could miss Farm Fresh's campaign in the PVL's first conference, which has been moved to 20 February from its original opening day on the 17th.

Dela Cruz, who led La Salle to the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 86 women's volleyball throne last year, had a promising start in her professional career.

She played a vital role in what turned out to be the disbanded club's last tournament.

However, the 5-foot-9 spiker hurt her knee while trying to dig for the ball in the second set of F2 Logistics' match against PLDT on 30 November. Dela Cruz was stretchered out of the court crying in pain.

F2 Logistics dissolved its women's club after the season and Dela Cruz, despite her injury, found a new home with the Foxies.

"We are aware that she can't play yet because of her previous injury from last conference but, honestly, we believe in her talent and passion for the sport. Even Boss Frank (Lao), believes this and pursued her, and Jolina probably saw how genuine we are in our intentions," Farm Fresh assistant team manager Kiara Cruz said.

The team's management firmly believes Dela Cruz will be a valuable asset for the young team once she's back into fighting form.

"We are very confident that she'll regain her form and become a better athlete after this. Rest assured, we will all be behind her in her recovery," Cruz added.

Dela Cruz is one of the nine acquisitions of Farm Fresh during the frantic offseason recruitment wars.