Alyssa Valdez hoping to rejoin Creamline for semis

Fresh from a two-week training trip in Japan with the National Team, Alyssa Valdez was eager to get back on the court when she landed in the Philippines.

While she was gone, her club, the Creamlime Cool Smashers, had convincingly taken their last three matches of the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference elimination round and completed the sweep heading into the semifinals.

Valdez, who was seen training with Cool Smashers earlier, expressed her desire to return to action with her club team on Saturday when Creamline take on the Bali Pure Water Defenders in a best-of-three semifinals series.

The four-time PVL MVP, however, revealed that she still needs to hash out her schedule and see about the feasibility of playing in the PVL as the National Team ramps up their preparation.

With the AVC Seniors Women’s Championship starting on August 9, the National Team will be staying as a team in a hotel near the Arellano University Law School Gym where they will hold twice-a-day training sessions.

“Hopefully, hopefully,” Valdez said. “I’m really hoping na makabalik ako and makatulong and maka-contribute talaga sa team. We really have to talk para maganda naman ang kakalabasan ng lahat. Siyempre we’re also thinking of the National Team and for the club team, na maganda yung resulta.

“Pag-uusapan pa din naman po. Siyempre if I were to decide, siyempre gusto mo bumalik dito at makatulong and siyempre, commitment natin po yun sa club team na nandito.”

Asked if she was feeling fatigued, the Batnagueña proudly expressed her joy in representing the Philippines and doing twice-a-day practices.

“I’m really happy,” the proud daughter of San Juan, Batangas shared.

“It’s fulfilling as an athlete to be a National Team player representing your country and you’re doing it for your teammates, coaches, and kababayans.”