How Kianna Dy blocks adversities, on and off court

For the longest time — since July 2023, to be specific — Kianna Dy’s injury has been given the Voldemort treatment.

Much like the Harry Potter character — “He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named” — Dy’s injury seemingly could not be discussed. No one outside the spiker’s camp even explained what exactly it was that affected not only her career trajectory, but also her agility and gravity-defying skills.

“I’ve never really talked about it in detail, but it’s a patellar tendon tear on my [right] knee,” said a sweaty Dy after a grueling Friday training with the PLDT High Speed Hitters at a gym along Araneta Avenue in Quezon City.

There was no intent to deceive or keep it a secret. The former La Salle star quickly clarified it has just been a practice among her and her teammates from the now-disbanded F2 Cargo Movers to not divulge injury details to anyone not directly involved with the squad.

The explanation made sense, but one thing didn’t: How come her recovery took quite a while?

According to PLDT’s physical therapist Jane Yam, who spoke to Rappler earlier that day, such injury normally takes about six months to heal. But she also added, cases, of course, vary.

Apparently, Dy suffered a double blow — same culprit, two different occurrences, halting Dy’s progress.

“I already had the same injury before while playing with F2 as well, but it was a small tear that’s why I was able to recover fast,” Dy recalled.

“Unfortunately, it happened again during my last game with F2 and it was a much bigger tear. As in 80% of the tendon was torn and because of that, it had to be a more complicated operation and a much longer recovery,” added the opposite hitter, demonstrating with her hand how her patellar tendon was hanging by a thread quite literally.

It was at this point when everything got lost in translation.

With her previous club team not informing the public about the specifics of her injury, the volleyball star naturally just dealt with her struggles privately, as well as the status of her rehabilitation process.

In January 2024, PLDT announced that it acquired Dy, along with her La Salle and F2 teammates Majoy Baron and Kim Fajardo.

Everything seemed to be looking up. Or so everyone thought, including the one-time UAAP Finals MVP herself.

“I came in the team knowing I was ready already because I was given a specific timeline, and so I thought I could join training already,” she recalled. “I joined the whole training, and during one of the drills, I felt a pinch behind my right knee. And by the next day, my knee swelled up.”

“I thought it was just because I needed my body to get used to the load of training, but after another doctor’s checkup, my knee wasn’t fully healed yet so I had to start over again,” added Dy.

This period of inactivity sent Dy’s loyal fans into a frenzy online —  from questions on her extended recovery period to accusations of being unfavored by PLDT’s coaching staff — practically every game day. 

For Dy, nobody would really understand the pain she continues to endure, unless they go through the same injury themselves.

“I don’t read comments, to be honest,” she admitted.

“But if they only knew what I had to go through and what I continue to go through, that’s the only time they will understand why up to now, nasa process pa rin ako ng pagbalik ng laro ko (I’m still in the process of getting back into the game),” she added.

But make no mistake, there was progress for Dy in the 2025 PVL All-Filipino Conference.

The High Speed Hitters may have crashed out of the competition after failing to beat Choco Mucho in the best-of-three quarterfinals, but Dy slowly climbed her way into the playing roster as the season progressed.

From being a reserve player for a couple of games, to becoming the third option for the opposite hitter position behind Erika Santos and Jessey de Leon, respectively, to ending the conference as the top pick for double substitution with setter Kim Fajardo, Dy took some important baby steps in her attempt to return to her fighting form.

It was just ill-fated that she was cleared to join the practice in full range of activities midway through the tournament when there was understandably not enough time to focus on her insertion into the plays and the program as a whole.

And more than that, she has yet to conquer the biggest villain of all. Bigger than the injury. Bigger than the unnecessary comments online. And even bigger than the fear of all of it happening all over again.

“Hindi ako takot pag pinapasok ako eh. Excited pa nga ako. Gustong-gusto ko pag pinapasok ako lalo pag crucial,” she said confidently.

(I’m not scared to be fielded. I’m even excited. I really like it when I get fielded, especially when it’s crucial.)

“It’s the doubt inside my head that holds me hostage. I know what to do when I get called in to play. Matibay loob ko (I’ve got a strong heart). But when it’s time to execute, that’s when I get lost,” she added as her face turned a little red and her eyes started glistening.

This, Dy believes, is something she can resolve soon by gaining more game exposure when the High Speed Hitters return to action.

“I just need to get a feel of the game and the court again,” she said.

Turning hopeful with her patented sweet smile, Dy shared: “I’m glad I’m getting more and more of my coaches’ trust to play. I want to prove even more that I am worthy of their trust and patience kasi never pinaramdam ng PLDT sa’kin na wala akong ambag (because PLDT never made me feel that I had no contribution).”

This trust and patience from everyone in the team, from the management down to the players, coupled with the best support system Dy could ever hope for will surely boost her bid for redemption.

She has her nurturing family. The reassuring presence of her partner in life, Dwight Ramos. And, perhaps most constantly, a joy-inducing patronus in the shape of a Pembroke Welsh Corgi named Koda that just drives bad days away.

“I’ve already come so far to just go this far,” she said, breaking into tears, becoming inconsolable for a good 30-second stretch.

It was as if all the happiness in the room has been sucked out the moment she started sobbing. The entire gym fell quiet, too, with her teammates looking clueless why Dy was in tears when she was laughing and having fun the entire training session.

“That’s what keeps me going,” she continued. “I’ve already put in so much work, so much time, so much sweat, and so much tears. I can’t give up now. Hindi pwedeng hanggang dito na lang ako (I can’t just stop here).”

That’s when she smiled again while wiping her tears before going back to the training floor to  start her cool down process.

“Tomorrow’s another day!” she exclaimed.

And just like that, there is hope again.

Maybe Dy’s power is not how she used to jump exceptionally high for a hit. Nor is it how, up to now, she still knows how to close a down-the-line-hit with a well-pressed block.

Maybe her real superhuman skill lies in her ability to continue showing up. Even when there’s a voice inside her head that feeds her doubts. Even when she knows there are still a lot of work to be done. And even when her eyes are puffy from crying her self to sleep at night.

Just pure grit, hard work, and an unrelenting belief that one day, she will surprise us again with monster numbers out of nowhere. Just like she did back in UAAP Season 78. – Rappler.com