When the game reaches its boiling point, the stars may flicker — but the ‘Phenom’ always shines.
Alyssa Valdez reminded the volleyball world why her name carries weight in the biggest moments, delivering a vintage triple-double to propel the Creamline Cool Smashers past Cignal, 25-19, 25-20, 15-25, 26-28, 16-14, on Saturday and into the qualifying round of the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.
The Creamline captain finished with 22 points, 13 digs, and 13 receptions, dominating when the stakes were at their peak.
At 32, Valdez didn’t just flash her vintage brilliance. She also orchestrated the most decisive game of Creamline’s campaign, showing the calm, commanding presence that has defined her career.
It was the kind of performance that earned her the PVL Press Corps Player of the Week award, presented by Pilipinas Live, her first in the league’s professional era.
(C) PVL Images
In a tight voting contest, she edged out Farm Fresh’s Royse Tubino, along with other contenders including Trisha Tubu of Farm Fresh, Eli Soyud of Akari, Brooke Van Sickle of Nxled, and Sisi Rondina of Choco Mucho.
The recognition, decided by print and online reporters covering the PVL, highlighted just how much her impact resonates across the league.
Even earlier in the week, Valdez had hinted at the storm to come. In Creamline’s 16-25, 22-25, 25-18, 23-25 loss to Farm Fresh in Sta. Rosa — played without head coach Sherwin Meneses and star teammates Jema Galanza and Bernadeth Pons — she still posted 14 points and 11 digs in just her second start of the conference.
For the three-time PVL MVP, this resurgence is less about reclaiming the spotlight and more about reinforcing belief.
“Every game, it’s more of a reminder for myself and for the team that we’re still here,” Valdez said. “It’s a reminder na kaya pa. I’ll just do my part in practice, and kapag kailangan, tutulong tayo.”
With a qualifying-round rematch against the Super Spikers looming, the stakes — and the spotlight — are growing even brighter. And if history is any guide, this is exactly where Valdez and the Cool Smashers excel.
“It’s not about trying to prove anything, but more about sticking together,” she added. “We stick together, we go into this battle together. Lalaban kami hanggang kung saan aabutin.”
Creamline and Cignal will meet again on Thursday, March 26, in the qualifying round at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Fans can watch live or on demand via the Pilipinas Live app and at www.pvl.ph.
#WATCH: NANDITO NA KAMI 🏐
That was the mindset of Alyssa Valdez during the fifth set of Creamline’s win over Cignal#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/FWgE0w74jp
📹 @jonashdcd /Tiebreaker Times #PVL2026 pic.twitter.com/DVUCdGhgJN
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) March 21, 2026
