Abai Llenos bucked a knee injury to lead Ateneo de Manila University to the semifinals of the 2022 V-League Men’s Collegiate Challenge.
Llenos, who injured his right knee during their quarterfinals clash against rival De La Salle University, still tallied 21 points on 17 attacks, three blocks, and one ace in the 25-23, 25-17, 27-25 victory over the Green Spikers last Wednesday at the Paco Arena.
“Kalagitnaan ng game parang nabagasak yung knee ko so throughout nung game sobrang sakit na. Parang lagi lang sinasabi sa akin ng assistant coach namin na… tinatanong niya ako kung gusto ko na bang mag-pahinga so akala ko tatanggalin ako,” recalled Llenos.
“Sabi ko hindi na coach, kung magpapahinga ka after ng game so dapat ipanalo yung game para makapagpahinga kasi hindi pa tapos yung trabaho,” he continued.
Llenos said that his injury was one his main motivations in finishing La Salle early. He scored three of the Blue Eagles’ last four points in the extended third set which includes an emphatic off the block hit to put his side at match point and the game-clinching block on JM Ronquillo.
“Yun yung naging motivation ko para tapusin yung game agad-agad para mapahinga rin yung tuhod ko,” said Llenos, who turned emotional after securing the crucial victory.
Ateneo head coach Timmy Sto. Tomas said that he was glad to see Llenos embrace the Blue Eagles leadership role especially now that some of their key players are out.
“Isa sa yun sa mga dapat ineexpect na sa kanya kasi isa na siya sa mga veterans ng team and during the first part nung tournament off the bench lang siya pero at least ngayon ine-embrace niya yung role niya bilang leader ng team with the absence nung ibang outside hitters namin,” said Sto. Tomas.
“Buti sumusunod naman sa kanya yung mga kids, nali-lift niya yung morale nung mga bata so ayun. Maayos naman,” he added.
Ateneo goes up against University of Sto. Tomas in the semifinals on Wednesday at 5:00 PM.
