The road to recovery starts now.
A month since donning the Gilas Pilipinas Women threads in the FIBA Women's Asia Cup, Vanessa de Jesus went down with a knee injury.
De Jesus on Tuesday shared this news on her Instagram account, saying this unfortunate event “has been hard to digest.”
“A short time ago, I suffered a knee injury during practice that will keep me out for the upcoming season,” the Duke Blue Devils star said.
“It still feels unreal how things can change so suddenly. It has been hard to digest especially with what I thought this year would hold and all the work I’ve put in to this point.”
It’s not clear what injury she suffered during Duke's practice, but what’s certain is that she will have to sit out their upcoming NCAA season.
The 5-foot-8 playmaker was coming off a much-awaited debut with the national team. She didn’t disappoint, norming 12.8 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists as Gilas finished sixth in the regional tournament.
Before the injury, Gilas coach Pat Aquino was trying to bring in De Jesus anew for the Asian Games in September. But that seems highly unlikely now.
“I was still hoping for the Asian Games and still waiting for her coach and school approval,” Aquino told One Sports. “But then again, I just wish for her fast recovery and for her to get stronger again.”
Injured and all, De Jesus remained upbeat knowing she will come back stronger.
“However, as I continue to work through this, it has given me time to reflect on my journey and how much basketball means to me. I have trust in the process and will keep my head up, not letting these circumstances keep me down or alter the dream,” she said.
“This is just another trial I must go through, that I’ll learn from and come back even stronger. I am grateful for those in my corner that I can look towards for strength, comfort, and guidance during this trying time. I will continue to fight this valley, until I’m back on top of the hill.”
(GM)