Kianna Dy makes triumphant, emotional PVL return as PLDT denies sister team Cignal

MANILA, Philippines – After 559 days, Kianna Dy is back on a volleyball court.

The PLDT High Speed Hitters — 388 days since signing the former F2 star — finally got a short but sweet taste of their top 2024 recruit in a four-set win over their sister team Cignal HD Spikers, 25-20, 25-21, 20-25, 25-22, at the PhilSports Arena on Tuesday, January 28.

With PLDT up 16-6 in what looked like a runaway fourth set, head coach Rald Ricafort elected to field Dy to a huge ovation.

The former La Salle star, however, showed signs of rust in her first game since July 20, 2023, coming off a major knee injury and was pulled out amid a massive 15-6 Cignal fightback that got it within a point, 22-21.

PLDT top star Savi Davison, however, righted the ship before it was too late and put the finishing touches, including the final kill that gave her a game-high 24 points off 22 attacks and 2 blocks.

“Since I’m new in the team, I’m super excited to play ’cause I was with [F2] in the past years. Just to play with new faces is just so refreshing, and yeah, I was just really happy and excited to be part of the team inside [the court],” said Dy, who was soon reduced to tears after realizing how long she has been out.

“I’ve been more patient with myself because the journey of me being here right now wasn’t really easy. It’s been a hard year. I’m still trying to get to my 100% and I’m slowly getting there. It hasn’t been easy, but thankfully with my teammates and my coaches, they make it easier for me even though it has been really tough.”