Teammates at DLSU and now with PLDT, Majoy Baron and Kim Fajardo were among the happiest to see Kianna Dy back in action for the High Speed Hitters after her lengthy knee injury.
After spending over a year on the sidelines, Kianna Dy’s return to the PVL court gave the PLDT High Speed Hitters not just a boost in firepower but an emotional lift as well.
Dy made her long-awaited debut for PLDT in their four-set victory over the Cignal HD Spikers, stepping onto the taraflex for the first time in 559 days since her knee injury in the 2023 PVL Invitational Conference.
While she didn’t score in her limited minutes, her mere presence was already a victory in itself.
Among those who celebrated Dy’s return were Majoy Baron and Kim Fajardo, who have played alongside her since their days at De La Salle University. The trio signed with PLDT in January 2024 after the disbandment of the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers at the end of 2023.
For Baron, simply seeing Dy in uniform again was already a game-changing moment.
“Nakaka-excite, and ang laking bagay. Kahit nakita ko pa lang siya naka-jersey, parang big deal na, parang nakaka-boost na agad ng morale kasi siyempre one and a half year na wala siya. Nakaka-miss, and sana mas ma-feel niya pa 'yung court in the future,” Baron told reporters after the match.
Having witnessed Dy’s struggles throughout her rehabilitation journey, Baron shared how the team supported her despite being physically apart.
“Siyempre, ang tagal nang panahon na nagre-rehab lang siya at hindi nakakapaglaro. Kahit hindi namin masyadong nakikita kasi iba 'yung rehab place, andun lang din 'yung support namin, at inaantay lang din talaga namin siya,” said Baron.
[ALSO READ: PVL: Kianna Dy gets emotional after long journey back from knee injury in PLDT debut]
Fajardo was just as thrilled about Dy’s return but emphasized that PLDT still has work to do in building stronger on-court chemistry.
“Of course, masaya kami na nandiyan na siya pero siyempre as a team, marami pa ring kailangan i-polish. Since kakabalik niya nga lang, marami pang dapat ma-feel namin na connected kami as a team,” Fajardo explained.
Having gone through her injury challenges, Fajardo understands the mental and physical hurdles that come with recovery. She advised the 29-year-old opposite hitter to stay patient as her body adjusts to the demands of the game again.
“Mas kailangan ng pasensya kasi 'yung injury niya, depende kung anong meron ka eh. May injury na after surgery, wala na. Pero may injury na after surgery, andiyan pa rin. Kailangan lang maka-adapt ng katawan na mag-high intensity ka sa games and training, tapos masanay ka na lang din sa sakit kasi part siya ng training at games,” said Fajardo.
[ALSO READ: Kianna Dy has her patience tested during long injury recovery | Off the Record]
With Dy, Baron, Fajardo, and Mika Reyes reunited in PLDT, their long-standing familiarity with one another has helped the team’s overall chemistry.
“For us, siguro advantage 'yun kasi alam na namin 'yung skill set ng bawat isa. Mas connected kami, and overall, madali naman i-connect 'yung ibang teammates. Extra boost na lang siguro na matagal na kaming magkakasama,” Baron noted.
Fajardo echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that while they are no longer in the same system they grew up in, their La Salle roots remain an asset.
“Super happy kasi hindi naman sa hinahanap namin 'yung dating connection, kasi nasa ibang team kami ngayon. Iba na rin 'yung laro namin siguro ngayon—mas mature, hopefully. Pero ang sarap sa feeling na magkakasama ulit kami, na galing kami sa iisang sistema. Lahat ng good things at good habits na nakuha namin doon, ma-apply din namin sa team.”
[ALSO READ: Rald Ricafort spells impact of KKD’s PVL return for PLDT High Speed Hitters]
While PLDT will remain patient with Dy following her return, fans will be hoping to see ‘Point City’ back in her 100% form soon.