After seven long months, Alyssa Valdez finally played her first full game for Creamline in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference.
Valdez, who sustained a right knee injury last December, tallied three points and 10 excellent digs in her return to action as the Cool Smashers swept Chery Tiggo, 25-22, 25-22, 25-17, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre on Tuesday night.
“It’s quite different talaga. Siguro this is the longest time that I’ve never played volleyball in my life. Six months,” said the former league MVP, who was named team captain of the national team for the SEA Games but played sparingly.
“They always remind me not to rush and I really have to trust the process, one step at a time. So, that’s it.”
The Valdez, who is turning 30 in a few days, acknowledged that she is not getting any younger and that she has to take even better care of her body moving forward.
“I think it’s really a mental challenge coming in, knowing that I’m not getting any younger and I had my injury just recently. So, I have to really take care of my body,” said Valdez.
It has been six months since the former Ateneo star last played in a Cool Smashers jersey after injuring her right knee in Game 2 of the 2022 PVL Reinforced Conference bronze series last December.
Her six-month absence, according to Valdez, made her feel like a rookie again as she tried to navigate her way inside the court once more.
“Honestly, I really don’t know how to prepare for a game anymore, except for the SEA Games, but it’s definitely different from the PVL. But whatever needs to be brought, the nervousness is there, it’s a different kind of nervousness and excitement,” said Valdez.
“I really feel like a rookie, so I hope I can have that mentality as well, being a rookie, just being myself and enjoying the match and helping my teammates. It’s really amazing.”
