Philippines’ Ara Galang Injury Trends Worldwide

De La Salle University ace player Galang suffered a season-ending left knee injury Saturday in the Lady Spikers’ four-set win against the National University Lady Bulldogs, leaving a big hole in the Taft-based squad’s campaign to regain the title they lost last year against Valdez and the Ateneo De Manila Lady Eagles.

“Ara Galang update: Confirmed ACL tear, big bone bruise, MCL tear, medial meniscus tear,” La Salle athletic director Nongnong Calanog relayed to ABS-CBN Sports in a text message.

Calanog and the whole La Salle team was with Galang, who was rushed to the Makati Medical Center moments after the Lady Spiker went down after twisting her knee in an awkward landing during the closing moments of the team’s 26-24, 21-25, 25-18, 25-21 do-or-die stepladder match win at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Galang, who scored a team-high 25 points, was stretchered off the court after putting La Salle ahead, 23-20, in the fourth set with an off the block kill over Rizza Mandapat. She landed awkwardly on her left foot, her knee buckled as she fell down the floor grimacing and crying in pain.

Thousands of fans showed their support for Galang through social media with Valdez and some of collegiate volleyball players wishing the star a fast recovery using the #PrayForAraGalang on Twitter.