With just a handfull of games remaining in her UAAP career, two-time MVP, Alyssa Valdez is making the most of her time in the league.
After a straight set thumping over the University of the Easy Lady Warriors, relished the time spent playing alongside her teammates, especially those that are seldom used in games.
Sophomore Therese Gaston and her younger sister, Pauline, made their presence felt in the waning moments of the first set, scoring the final two points for a 1-0 set lead. Rookies Ria Lo and Deanna Wong played their first minutes in the UAAP, with Lo serving up an ace as soon as she step foot into the court, to the delight of her teammates and Ateneo fans.
“Everyone played well today, everyone contributed. Not only the first six, since coach Tai used the second stringers as well,” shared Valdez. “I hope coach is really happy because everyone on the team really contributed. Pati ‘yung second stringers na pinasok, they really played well. It’s really a learning experience for everyone, since hindi lang naman kami yung nakalaro, pati yung mga bata.”
Holding a 6-0 record this season, Valdez and the Lady Eagles put their 24-game winning streak on the line as they face their toughest challenge yet when they go against the De La Salle Lady Spikers this coming Saturday.
Valdez has many memories playing against La Salle, some good, some bad, and when pressed for a comment, she had nothing but good things to say about the ladies from Taft, and when asked about the pivotal matchup, Valdez replied in pretty much the same way she does when asked about every other opponent.
“We always say La Salle has a good system. They’re prepared every time they go into a game. Every time they’re going to go back to their system, down man sila or up. They really have that standard that through the years they have polished.”
“Kami naman every game pinaghahandaan namin, and si coach Tai, pahihirapan niya kami and gagawin niya yung trabaho niya para ma-assess kami and ma-guide kami kung ano yung kailangan namin gawin sa Saturday.”
This is an Ateneo-La Salle game, and no matter how much Valdez may downplay it, there will always be that pressure to beat her rival school. As much as possible, though, Valdez is trying to treat it like every other game.
“Definitely may ganoong factor, pero hindi ko naman iniisip. I’m taking my time and making the most out of the few months na binibigay sa akin. It’s another game, it’s another game for us. Hindi naman namin iniisip na it’s a big game. It’s the last game of the first round.”
“Iba rin naman talaga yung game pag Ateneo-La Salle. Let’s see nalang what’s going to happen on Saturday.”
