University of Santo Tomas’ (UST) title bid suffered a major blow after veteran Jonna Perdido underwent surgery on her torn left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), ruling her out of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament opening next month.

The school’s official publication, The Varsitarian, reported Tuesday that the versatile winger will sit out the tournament to recover from the injury she suffered during the Golden Tigresses’ battle for bronze campaign in the Shakey’s Super League Collegiate Preseason Championship.

Perdido hurt her knee following an awkward landing midway through the fourth frame of UST’s five-set loss to Far Eastern University last November.

The winger, who went under the knife Monday, will need at least a year to get back into competitive form according to Tigresses physical therapist Alyssa Tomas.

“She will undergo rehab for six to nine months. So, we’re just starting right now because we’re still in the acute phase of her rehab,” Tomas said in an interview with The Varsitarian.

“Usually, the first six to nine months is more on the physical rehab. Then there’s still the psychological and mental. We estimate the timeline to be at least one year.”

Perdido was a vital cog in UST’s pre-season title conquest in the V-League Women’s Collegiate Challenge.

Her absence will leave huge shoes to fill in the Tigresses’ campaign to settle an unfinished business in the UAAP wars set to explode on 15 February.

UST marched into the finals last year after dethroning De La Salle University only to be swept by star-studded National University in the championship series.

UST coach Kungfu Reyes will rely on other outside hitters Season 86 Rookie of the Year Angge Poyos, Xyza Gula, Kyla Cordora, Renee Penafiel and grizzled veterans Regina Jurado, setter Cassie Carballo and top libero Detdet Pepito.