Kim Fajardo glad to have Iris Tolenada on her side as she recovers

For the first time since March 3, 2020, Kim Fajardo was back on the taraflex for F2 Logistics on Friday evening.

Fajardo had been battling a recurring right knee trauma that had plagued her for the last five years.

But the 28-year-old playmaker out of Calatagan, Batangas did not expect her number to be called up by Cargo Movers head coach Benson Bocboc late in the second set in their game against Chery Tiggo.

“First time after two years na makalaro sa actual game,” said Fajardo, whose last game was against PLDT in the Philippine Superliga. “Okay na rin yung naging galaw pero nangangapa pa. Pero kilala ko na sila at yung sistema nandun naman. Kaunting ayos pa.

“Nagse-set lang ako sa kanila. Walang game. Pero okay naman yung kinalabasan ng laro ko kanina pero marami pang kailangan ayusin.”

Despite only getting to play late in the contest, the six-time PSL Best Setter still tossed 11 excellent sets to go along with two points.

Not bad for her first game back.

“Nagrerecover pa lang siya,” said Bocboc. “Sinubukan lang namin siya ngayon that is why we fielded in three setters. In case hindi kayanin, we will have another option.

“So far, nag-work naman at nakarespond din yung mga kasama. Kahit papano, nakagalaw din siya. Kahit limited, enough na yun to get points.”

For the past two years, F2 Logistics only had one competition — the PNVF Champions League.

During that time, it was Iris Tolenada who steered the Cargo Movers to the top while winning the Best Setter honor as well.

According to Fajardo, she is just glad to have Tolenada to help her out as she recovers.

“Okay naman kami at alam naman namin yung kaya naming pareho and it’s a healthy competition.

“Okay kaming dalawa,” she gushed. “Kung mayroon kailangan i-adjust, nagsasabihan kami at open kami sa suggestions. Ganun kami. Sobrang okay.”

As she grasps to find her form, Fajardo admitted that it’s been a test of patience.

And she hopes that by the end of the conference, she can finally find her form.

“Yun yung inaalalayan ko kasi hindi ko pa alam yung kaya ko bigay. Seventy to eighty percent pa lang ako,” she admitted. “Titignan ko mamaya kung mamaga. So far nagiging okay naman progress ko. Ginagawa ko, everyday conditioning and therapy.

“Pasensyahan talaga. Patience talaga. Nakakainip kasi yung teammates mo nag-tretraining tapos ikaw gedli. Ano ba yun? Exercise lang.

“Tignan natin sa mga susunod. Siguro, dahan-dahan lang at hindi pa ako puwede ipasok ng buong game. Siguro pa end ng competition, tignan natin,” she hopes.