Xyza Gula out of UST women's volleyball lineup for UAAP Season 87 due to back injury

The UST Golden Tigresses’ bid in UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball hit another snag after the team announced on social media on Monday that hitter Xyza Gula will not be available for the España squad in the tournament due to a back injury.

Already undermanned with Jonna Perdido’s own injury, Gula’s health concerns are another blow for the team that finished runner-up in Season 86.

According to the statement released by the team, Gula’s injury happened back in December where she accidentally “fell badly” on her back, which caused a displaced fracture on her tailbone. However, the team still attempted to include Gula in their plans for the new UAAP season.

“With the advise of the team’s resident doctor that the pain would lessen within 5-8 weeks, she remained included in UST’s Season 87 plans, including the Japan training camp back in January,” the statement read.

“Unfortunately, as of press time, and following another x-ray exam and re-evaluation, the pain has yet to subside which led to Gula missing vital parts of our training,” they added.

Because of the circumstance, the team decided to exclude Gula out of the lineup for Season 87.

The team said that with the decision, they are prioritizing her health and her future as an athlete which they said was “for more important” than UST’s title bid in the UAAP.

“We ask the ever-loyal UST community to pray for our dear Xyza’s recovery and the good health and safety of all our Tigresses and every athlete from all schools participating in the UAAP men’s and women’s volleyball tournaments,” they said.

UST will thus be led by last year’s Rookie of the Year Angge Poyos, veteran libero Detdet Pepito, among others in their redemption bid in UAAP Season 87.

[RELATED: After stellar UAAP rookie year, Angge Poyos takes UST’s rising expectations in stride]

The UAAP volleyball tournaments begin on Saturday, February 15, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.