F2's Kalei Mau to focus on rehab after injury-marred PVL conference
MANILA, Philippines — F2 Logistics Cargo Movers star Kalei Mau is eager to move forward from the Cargo Movers' campaign in the 2022 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference after playing their final game of preliminaries on Tuesday.
In an up-and-down season that saw the volleyball powerhouse miss out on the semifinals, Mau's personal game also took a backseat as injuries stymied her production for F2 all conference long.
Coming off of a morale-boosting three-set win over semis-bound Petro Gazz, Mau said that she is now putting her mind to getting healthy.
"Get healthy this offseason, just like any other offseason. [But] this one, I gotta work it a little extra harder," Mau said of her plans after the conference.
"I had a lot of injuries that held me back from playing my best this conference. And as upsetting as it is, it's completely out of control at the moment. So I just really have to dial in on rehab, therapy, and just come back stronger," she added.
Mau's numbers dipped for the Cargo Movers, as she ended up only 20th in the top scorers of the conference — with the likes of rivals Mylene Paat, Jema Galanza, Mika Reyes and Alyssa Valdez all finishing ahead of her in the import-laden conference.
Despite her and F2's struggles in the tournament, where they also 0-2 in their campaign, Mau took refuge in their steady showing against the Petro Gazz Angels.
Playing against the defending champions, both Mau and the rest of the Cargo Movers flashed their old form. Mau finished with 20 markers, second only to guest player and team captain Lindsay Stalzer's 22 points.
"That's the team I know," Mau beamed after the game.
"It's the team that I've been playing with for the past three, almost four, years. I think the difference maker was no pressure, have fun. Our game plan was really to do our best and be there for each other. I think we did exactly that and I'm really proud of our team for doing that today," she continued.
But Mau and the Cargo Movers will be stuck on the outside looking in when the single round robin semifinals round begins on Thursday, November 24, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
The Angels collide with the Creamline Cool Smashers in the opening match at 2:30 p.m., while the Cignal HD Spikers will clash with the Chery Tiggo Crossovers in the main game at 5:30 p.m.
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