Cristina Ouviña’s statements on her return to activity

In a week when her teammates will begin arriving in Valencia to undergo the traditional preseason medical check-ups and kick off on-court work with the Taronja women's team on Monday, August 18, point guard Cristina Ouviña was the first player to complete preseason physical tests last Friday.

The playmaker from Aragón did not play any official games last season, as she decided to step away from sports activity in the days leading up to the start of the competition due to her pregnancy with her first child, Julen. A different way of experiencing the season, which Ouviña acknowledges as “a unique, truly beautiful experience. It was different watching everything from the outside all year, but I always felt like I was still part of it. I kept coming to train at the gym until my body said that was enough, but honestly, it was all really good.”

The Taronja point guard noted that, in returning to the professional basketball routine, “everything feels new—it's about adapting to your new lifestyle. But with the same excitement, with the same drive. Gradually adapting to my new body, my new life, and slowly trying to be able to help the team as soon as possible.”

Ouviña emphasized, “For me, it feels like coming back when nothing is the same, but I understand that the passion and excitement are always the same,” and she highlighted an “extra motivation, which is looking up into the stands and seeing my son there. That’s what motivates me now. Returning to the top tier, to the highest level, with the ambition to win titles again—and now, with two new eyes watching me.”

Cristina also expressed her amazement at the progress of what will be the home of the professional teams next season, the Roig Arena: “Honestly, I’m blown away. I left Valencia in April, and everything was still kind of chaotic, but in these last few days walking around the area—it’s incredible. I’m really looking forward to it.”