UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas will miss reliable Xyza Gula when the Golden Tigresses open their campaign in the 87th UAAP women’s volleyball which will begin this Saturday.
The team announced yesterday that Gula will not suit up for UST this season as the team prioritizes “her health and her future as an athlete far more important than our campaign.”
In a statement posted on social media, the team said Gula had an accident last December, falling on her back that caused a displaced fracture on her tailbone.
“With the advice 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 team 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,”
The team decided to sit out the incoming junior, hoping the ever-loyal UST community would “pray for 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.”
Gula had pivotal contributions in the Espana-based squad’s bid last season, where the young UST squad finished as runners-up, and became a “magic bunot” for the Kungfu Reyes-mentored team.
Gula is the latest Golden Tigress to miss the coming competition; UST will also miss the services of wing spiker Jonna Perdido who suffered an ACL injury.
Perdido sustained her injury last November in the Shakey’s Super League Pre-Season Championship bronze-medal match loss to FEU Lady Tamaraws.
Last year’s Rookie of the Year Angge Poyos, Best Libero Detdet Pepito, juniors Cassie Carballo and Regina Jurado are expected to lead UST in its redemption campaign this season.
