Alyssa Valdez is drawing extra motivation from the chance to represent the Philippines once again — this time proudly carrying the Creamline banner in the 2025 AVC Women’s Champions League.
Valdez, who last played for the national team during the 2023 Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to wear the Philippine flag once more — especially alongside her longtime Cool Smashers teammates on such a grand stage.
“Extra motivation talaga having the flag on our chest and representing as well Creamline Cool Smashers. Doble-doble ‘yung motivation and inspiration to fight today,” Valdez shared after leading Creamline to a straight-set victory over Al Naser on Sunday.
“It’s just so nice to play always for the Philippines. We play like there’s no tomorrow all the time because these chances, opportunities’ given to us, hindi naman all the time, so we’re gonna grab it and try to represent the country well.”
The 31-year-old outside hitter stepped up for the Cool Smashers in their 29-27, 25-20, 25-19 win over the Jordanian squad, putting them on the verge of clinching a quarterfinals spot in the Champions League.
(C) PVL Images
Valdez was the top local scorer for the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference silver medalists, finishing with 10 points, including seven attacks, two aces, and one block, along with three excellent digs and three excellent receptions.
The three-time PVL MVP admitted that representing the Philippine flag again hadn’t crossed her mind after the 2023 SEA Games, but she’s thankful for this new opportunity.
And she feels thrilled to be doing it all over again, this time with the added pride of representing her mother club.
“Well, very overwhelming for me just because I think it never crossed my mind to represent again the Philippines in any competition. We’ll take this. Not just me, but the whole Creamline Cool Smashers because we’re here because of the whole team din,” Valdez said.
“But very overwhelmed but very excited and very happy to be able to represent. It’s been a while since last 2023. I’m with coach Sherwin also back in Cambodia, so it’s nice always given that opportunity.”
Carrying such a big responsibility, Valdez vows to do everything she can to bring pride to both the country and her Creamline family as they compete on the international stage.
“The only thing that we could do is bring honor and pride to the country all the time.”
#WATCH: Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses, Alyssa Valdez, and Erica Staunton talk about their big win over Al Naser to open their #AVCChampionsLeague run 🏐
📹 @jonashdcd /Tiebreaker Times #PVL2025 pic.twitter.com/hRtxgSPWni
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) April 20, 2025
