By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The University of the Philippines (UP) will open its UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball campaign without one of its main offensive weapons, as senior spiker Negrense Joan Monares is set to sit out the first round due to a back injury.

Monares disclosed that she has been diagnosed with desiccated discs with a disc bulge, an issue she sustained during the preseason that will keep her sidelined for at least the opening half of the tournament.

“Unfortunately, nagka-injury ako nung pre-season. Our target for me is to play second round pa,” the Negrense volleybelle said in an interview with ABS-CBN sports.

The injury happened shortly before UP competed in the Shakey’s Super League, forcing the 24-year-old to miss the entire preseason tilt.

Monares said the team initially hoped she could recover in time to participate, but rehabilitation did not yield the improvement they expected.

“Two weeks before ng Shakey’s,” she said.

“Nilo-look forward pa namin na baka makahabol pa ako sa preseason, pero upon rehab, wala talagang improvement, so saka na kami nagpa-test,” she added.

While Monares said she can still manage the discomfort, she stressed that returning too early could worsen the condition.

“‘Pag lumaki ‘yung bulge and may naipit na nerve, delikado. Playable pa naman siya now, but we don’t want to push it kasi baka lumala,” she said.

Her timetable for a comeback remains unclear.

Monares acknowledged that recovery may take time, though she emphasized she is not ruled out for the rest of the season.

“‘Yung sinabing healing time sa akin, medyo matagal eh,” she said.

“Nakakalungkot na I will not get to play ‘pag start ng season, but I’m trying hard to be patient, and the girls are there, willing to step up in my position,” she concluded./ASC, WDJ