Hobbled Alyssa Valdez returns just in time to help Creamline finish Tacloban

Suffering from right ankle pain, Alyssa Valdez returned late in the third set to propel the Creamline Cool Smashers past the Tacloban Fighting Warays, 25-16, 25-16, 26-24, in the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference at the FilOil Flying V Centre.

With Creamline trailing 11-16, Valdez came back to the court in the third set after having her ankle re-taped twice in the prior frame. The Cool Smashers rallied from there, slowly whittling at Tacloban’s lead. Valdez scored thrice in a run that took Creamline from behind, 24-22, to ahead, 24-25. Setter Jia Morado then clinched the match with an ace.

Valdez assured that the injury was minor, saying that she had been treating the injury for a long time.

“It’s something na I’ve dealt with before. Siguro kapag ganoon, you just really want to help the team,” said the four-time league MVP, who finished with 17 points.

Michele Gumabao added nine points, while Risa Sato and Pau Soriano managed eight points apiece.

Dimdim Pacres topped the Fighting Warays with nine points. Heather Guino-O, Alina Bicar, and Jovie Prado each managed six points.

The Cool Smashers (7-2) next take on the Pocari Sweat (5-5) on November 11 at Legazpi City. Tacloban (4-7) will face the Petro Gazz Angels (5-4) on Saturday at the FilOil Flying V Centre.

The Scores

Creamline (3) – Valdez 17, Gumabao 9, Galanza 8, Sato 8, Soriano 8, Morado 3, Cayetano 2, Cabanos 0, Atienza (L), Gohing (L)

Tacloban (0) – Pacres 9, Bicar 6, Prado 6, Guino-O 6, Delos Reyes 4, Alvarez 2, Esguerra 2, Negrito 2, Marzan 1, Galang (L), Luzon (L)