The new year means a new beginning for Premier Volleyball League (PVL) stars who have been sidelined for a significant amount of time.
Returning players re-introduced themselves when action in the 2024-2025 All-Filipino Conference resumed Saturday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Jolina dela Cruz reminded fans of her explosive scoring after dropping 20 points in her Farm Fresh debut to lead the Foxies to a 25-22, 26-24, 25-21, domination of Nxled.
It was the winger’s first game at the same venue where she tore her right anterior cruciate ligament while playing for the disbanded F2 Logistics in November 2023 during their 2nd AFC campaign.
“I had my surgery on 17 January last year and now I’m back. I’m just happy to be back from an injury,” Dela Cruz said.
“My priority now is to stay healthy and always be there in training. I hope and pray to be present in every game.”
Aside from Dela Cruz, Farm Fresh also welcomed middle blocker Lorene Toring after recovering from a knee injury she suffered early last year while still playing for Adamson University.
She scored only three points but her presence brought stability to the Foxies’ net defense.
“Honestly, I was really nervous during the game. But slowly we got our groove and confidence. I’m building connections with our setters and teammates,” Toring said.
EJ Laure, on the other hand, played her first game in a Chameleons uniform since her transfer from Chery Tiggo.
Laure, who had eight points in a lost cause for the winless Nxled, last saw action in May 2024 in the AFC battle for third.
“I’m really looking forward to getting a feel of the court since I’ve been gone for a long time,” said Laure, who is also busy preparing for her wedding with long-time partner actor Carino.
Meanwhile, fan-favorite Choco Mucho saw the return of top setter Deanna Wong five months after recovering from nagging knee issues.
She tallied 10 excellent sets and scored seven in the Flying Titans’ come-from-behind five-set win over ZUS Coffee.
“I was a bit nervous. But I just trusted whatever role coach gave me. I just took it easy at first. I think also it’s because we’ve been together for a long time it wasn’t that hard to adjust during training,” Wong said.