Three years after her final UAAP match, Alyssa Valdez is still strongly linked with the Ateneo de Manila University.
Her days as a Lady Eagle were historic – bringing the program its only two UAAP titles, winning three MVP plums, and making the Finals in each of her five playing years.
Valdez not only revitalized a fledgling program, but also exponentially affected the growth of local women’s volleyball.
In the micro sense, she boosted interest in the Ateneo Women’s Volleyball program that now enjoys a healthy batch of recruits itching for the same glory Valdez achieved in the Blue and White.
Three years after her final UAAP match, Valdez met her alma mater squad, which looked completely different from the teams on which she had played.
“Ang tatangkad nila, ano?” Valdez quipped, as her Creamline Cool Smashers quickly dealt with the Ateneo-Motolite Lady Eagles in the PVL Open Conference last Sunday.
The four-time PVL Most Valuable Player unleashed 19 points on the towering Lady Eagles frontline, while also showing off her much-improved floor defense acumen.
Aside from the new Lady Eagles’ height, Valdez could not help but feel old. Only five of the current Ateneo roster got to play with Valdez in the UAAP, two of whom – Maddie Madayag and Ponggay Gaston – were not available yesterday due to an academic commitment.
“I feel old.
“We’re just really proud of them. Kahit sino ilagay, nagde-deliver naman kahit bago sila. Ngayon lang din naglaro ‘yung iba eh. ‘Di naman din sila masyadong nai-involve pa sa game pero it was a good experience for them, maraming tao and then veteran team din ‘yung nakalaban nila so, hopefully, magtuloy-tuloy lang and ma-build nila ‘yung confidence nila para sa coming season,” the 25-year-old reflected.
A lot of volleyball players, including current Lady Eagles, admit to idolizing Valdez and credit her for sparking their interest volleyball.
As one of the sport’s ambassadors, Valdez feels responsible for setting an example.
“Well, nakaka-pressure din, in a way, kasi you have to live up sa mga expectations ng mga tao. Pero, that pressure kasi would make you push yourself pa,” Valdez shared.
“Mai-inspire ka rin sa mga bata. Alam naman natin na mga bata sila so kundisyon pa. Ako, as ate nila, I’ll try my best na may matutunan pa sila sa akin.”
