AT A GLANCE
Alyssa Valdez is hoping to regain her best form after making a full return to the Creamline roster in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Invitational Conference on Tuesday night, June 27.
Alyssa Valdez is hoping to regain her best form after making a full return to the Creamline roster in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Invitational Conference on Tuesday night, June 27.
It was the Cool Smashers skipper’s first full game since suffering from a right knee injury, and while Tots Carlos top-scored for the defending champions with 24 points in their straight-set win against the Chery Tiggo Crossovers, the team has rightfully turned to Valdez for her leadership.
Alyssa Valdez makes PVL comeback as a starter for the Creamline Cool Smashers. (PVL Images)
Coincidentally, it was also a game against Chery Tiggo that Valdez sustained the said injury during their battle for third place in the Reinforced Conference in Dec. 2022.
Valdez, though, captained the national team in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia last May, where she saw limited action.
“I really don’t know how to prepare for a game na kasi, except for the SEA Games, but it’s definitely different from PVL. Pero ‘yong kaba andoon. Iba rin naman ‘yong excitement na nafi-feel ko. Para talaga akong rookie, so I hope I can have that mentality as well. Being a rookie, just being myself and just enjoying the match and helping my teammates," she said.
Interestingly, the Chery Tiggo lineup is stacked with UAAP collegiate standouts turned pro in Eya Laure and Imee Hernandez of the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses along with Cess Robles, Jen Nierva and Joyme Cagande of the National University Lady Bulldogs, something that gave Valdez added motivation to bring herself back in tip-top shape.
“Well, I'm very, very thankful that we got the win, everyone really stepped up. Ang ganda ng nilaro ng lahat sa team. And I'm just really lucky enough also na binigyan ako ni coach Sherwin (Meneses) ng pagkakataon na makalaro in today’s game,” Valdez furthered. “It’s really been a while since I last played. It’s really different to actually playing a full game also. But I am very grateful for the experience knowing also na isa din sa mga malalakas na team ‘yong nakalaban namin today.”
The 29-year-old veteran spiker, who is about to celebrate her birthday on Thursday, June 29 during Creamline’s second game against new PVL team Gerflor Defenders in Pool A, felt as though she was back in square one after being away from intense competition due to her injury.
“It’s quite different talaga siguro this is the longest na I have never played volleyball in my life, seven months. And lagi rin lang nila nire-remind sa akin na wag akong magmadali. I really have to trust the process, one step at a time, so ‘yon lang. I really think it’s a mental challenge naman coming in also knowing na I’m not getting any younger. And I had my injury just recently also, so I have to really take care of my body,” Valdez, who also tallied three points in her return, said.
“Pero ‘yon, pag pinasok kailangan talagang ibigay lahat and sana makatulong pa rin sa team. Pero hopefully magamay ko na ulit ‘yong volleyball court and I really can’t wait na ‘yong smooth and may fluidity sa galaw ko rin sa loob ng court,” she added.
According to Valdez, she has recently been completing three-hour practices with the team, but still has to remain patient and wary when she's in action.
Now that she’s back in the team's rotation for good, Valdez is looking to become more involved in scoring and helping the team in its title defense.
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