NU setter Nabor playing with tumor in left knee

MANILA, Philippines – National University's promising setter Jasmine Nabor had to sit out the last frame of their three-set romp over Adamson University due to pain in her left knee which is apparently due to a non-cancerous tumor.

While going for the ball in the second set, Nabor collided with their libero and had to go to the dugout, in tears, due to the pain. Reserve playmaker Lamie Aberin saw out the Lady Bulldogs' 25-15, 25-22, 25-19 victory over the Lady Falcons.

After the game, NU Coach Roger Gorayeb revealed that Nabor has been dealing with the injury in her left knee since her high school career.

"Tumor daw sa taas ng left knee," said Gorayeb. "Nawala na 'yan, tapos bumalik. Ngayon ko lang nalaman na may ganoon."

Gorayeb said the tumor was not cancerous but still caused Nabor pain.

"Kanina ko lang nalaman, kasi umiiyak si Jas," he said. "Dapat sabihin niya sa akin. At least alam ko kung may nararamdaman, kung dapat pala pa-operahan."

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Nabor admitted after the game that she was reluctant to inform Gorayeb of the injury, fearing that her coach would not let her play because of it.

"Siyempre, gusto kong makatulong sa team, kaya ko tinitiis lang 'yung injury," she said. "Kaya every after training na lang ako nagpapa-therapy."

Nabor reiterated that the injury was not serious: "Hindi naman daw po siya delikado."

Still, they did not take any chances with Nabor, opting to sit her for the entirety of the third set in favor of the young Aberin. Gorayeb however expects her to play in their next game against De La Salle University.

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