After 559 days of recovery from an injury, Kim Kianna Dy finally marked her comeback in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) during a game on Tuesday night. This moment was especially significant as it had been over a year since she last played the game. Her return to the court was met with excitement, not only by her but also by the fans, as she was called to play in the fourth set of the High Speed Hitters’ 25-20, 25-21, 20-25, 25-22 victory over Cignal at the PhilSports Arena.
Dy expressed her excitement, saying, “[I am] super excited. I haven’t played the game for [more than] a year now.” Her return to the court was a surprise even to her, as coach Rald Ricafort had initially planned for a more gradual reintegration into the team. Dy’s return marked the beginning of a careful re-entry process, with the High Speed Hitters aiming for a strong finish to the All-Filipino Cup and an optimal playoff ranking.
Ricafort explained, “Actually, she wasn’t supposed to [make her] return today, because she was only able to train hard on back-to-back days for the first time. We are incorporating her slowly. But we were able to test her out this early, and we’re happy that she is slowly coming back.”
Dy’s injury had kept her sidelined since July 20, 2023, when she injured her right knee while playing for F2 Logistics. Despite the uncertainty of her return, PLDT decided to bring her on board. Ricafort shared the challenges of her long recovery, stating, “We’ve been very patient with her long recovery. It’s not just a judgment to not field her in, it was a really complicated and difficult process that even she has gotten impatient at times.”
Although Dy’s comeback was not marked by impressive points, it still represented a positive step forward for both her and PLDT. Her presence on the court, even if in limited action, brought hope to the team’s future performance in the league. With a current 5-3 record, PLDT sits at No. 4, alongside Chery Tiggo and Choco Mucho, with three more games remaining in the competition.
Dy reflected on her return, expressing how much it meant to her: “Just to play with new faces is just so refreshing, and yeah, I was just really happy and excited to be part of the team inside [the court].”
Coach Ricafort emphasized the positive influence Dy had on the team, even in her limited appearances. “Her presence has a huge effect, even if she comes and goes in the scrimmages, that’s still her,” he said. “Even if she still isn’t the 100 percent Kianna who can play in the first six, she helps us improve.”
As Dy continues to recover, she is expected to provide much-needed support to other key players like Savi Davison, who scored 24 points in the match against Cignal. Dy acknowledged her journey back to full health, saying, “It wasn’t really easy. It’s been a hard year… I’m still trying to get to my 100 percent and I’m slowly getting there. I am thankful to my teammates and my coaches, they make it easier for me even though I myself am finding it difficult.”
