BACARRA, ILOCOS NORTE — November 9, 2019 was the last time that Alyssa Valdez played in a Premier Volleyball League finals match.
Almost two years later, the three-time Conference MVP finally found herself back playing at the biggest stage in Philippine volleyball.
And with that given, she made sure to leave it all out on the floor.
“One thing na ang sarap sa pakiramdam e yung makalaro ulit sa finals. Siguro ang tagal din nating nawala, sa volleyball and yung feeling na yun naramdaman ulit namin,” expressed Valzed after Creamline’s Game One win over Chery Tiggo in the PVL Open Conference finals.
“Ang inisip ko lang talaga is I really want to help my team, Creamline, and yun kahit papaano nakakatulong din naman. So yun lang as in really thinking yung mindset talaga namin is kahit anong puntos ‘yan we have to celebrate. Yun lang, ginawa talaga naming one step at a time today.”
With Creamline on its way to surrendering a 2-0 advantage against Chery Tiggo, the hot-handed Valdez took over in the decider.
There, the spiker out of San Juan, Batangas scored four points — including the game-sealing combination play to help the Cool Smashers complete a 25-15, 25-21, 18-25, 19-25, 15-7 Game One win at the PCV Socio-Civic and Cultural Center here.
Valdez delivered 21 big points, all of which came from attacks, in the victory.
For the Ateneo great, knowing that they have an unbeaten 4-0 record in five-setters played a huge role in the comeback.
“I think at the end of the day may kumpyansa rin kami na lahat nang nilaro naming five sets kahit papaano nanalo pa rin kami and yun yung isa sa mga siguro binring namin during the fifth set,” shared Valdez.
“Other than that, one thing na sinabi sa amin ni Coach Tai (Bundit), zero-zero parang new set talaga, parang masastart pa lang yung game and lahat ng energy binigay talaga namin during the fifth set.”
Now gearing for the title-clinching match tomorrow, Valdez is expecting a very motivated Creamline squad on the floor.
“We have to play happy, we have to bring our strongest heart in tomorrow’s game mapa ano ‘man ang result ng game na yun magbibigay kami ng magandang laban and ibibigay namin yung buong puso namin sa game.”
