PVL: Akari’s Chiara Permentilla relishes best game since long return from injury

Chiara Permentilla. Photo PVL

MANILA, Philippines—Chiara Permentilla played her best game since returning from the ACL injury she suffered in 2019.

His performance couldn’t have come at a better time for Akari, who is desperate for a breakthrough win in the game against a struggling Mamba-Black Mamba force on Tuesday.

Returning to his old form, Permentilla showed brilliance with 13 points, 10 digs and eight excellent receptions.

“It feels good to be back on the court. It feels good because I went through a long journey and a long process,” Permentilla said after the Chargers defeated the Lady Troopers, 25-18, 25-19, 23-25, 25-19.

“At first, I was just on the sidelines, then slowly I came back to the field. I was lined up and I had to play again. I fought for this. It’s been a long time.”

Permentilla retired Dindin Santiago-Manabat, who led all scorers with 23 points to lift Akari to its first win after a 0-3 start.

“I am proud of Chiara. Of course, I also had an ACL injury, so I saw how he recovered twice and he never stopped. He was the first one to participate in rehab or activation, so that’s the only way you can see that he doesn’t stop,” Manabat said.

Permentilla injured his left knee while playing for Marinerang Pilipina in the inactive Philippine Super League in 2019. The injury also forced him to miss the UAAP Season 82.

He has been on a grueling road to recovery since before he met his new home with Akari at PVL.

“Last season, he was there every day. The guys had an off day but he was there, also training. He just focused on the next step or the next level that he can take this year,” said coach Akari Jorge Souza de Brito, whose squad took PLDT on February 28.

“He proved to himself and everybody that if you believe in yourself and the process, you can be here,” he said.

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