PLDT's Jovy Prado out for rest of PVL Invitational Conference due to ACL

The playoff-bound PLDT High Speed Hitters will be undermanned for the rest of the 2023 PVL Invitational Conference as Jovy Prado was ruled out due to an ACL injury she sustained last Thursday during their game against the Creamline Cool Smashers.

The former NCAA Finals MVP out of Arellano University had a bad landing in their 25-21, 25-20, 25-21 loss to the defending champions. Five days later, PLDT management confirmed that the 5-foot-7 player was diagnosed with a torn ACL.

"After an MRI scan and a check-up with a doctor, it was confirmed to Jovy Prado and the PLDT High Speed Hitters team and management that she suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear," the team said in a Facebook post.

"We hope to continue to pray for her as she goes through the path to recovery on her way back to the PVL court."

The High Speed Hitters, though, made sure to fight for their fallen teammate as they escaped Chery Tiggo on Tuesday to punch the last semifinals ticket and join Creamline, F2 Logistics, and Cignal, as well as guest teams from Japan and Vietnam in the playoff round.

Sans Prado, Mean Mendrez stepped up big time for PLDT as she churned out 16 points while Dell Palomata and Mich Morente provided the lift with 14 and 12 markers apiece.

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News