Alyssa Valdez revealed that she needed to pass a hop test in order to gain clearance to suit up in Creamline’s finals match against KingWhale Taipei, Sunday night.
Valdez was actually a game-time decision after suffering a left ankle injury in the team’s final match of the semifinals last Friday also against KingWhale. Fortunately for the Cool Smashers, the three-time PVL MVP was able to pass the drill and play.
“Kanina lang, when we arrived sa arena it was my hop test kumbaga kung makakatalon ako for today’s video. After the game yesterday until today, I’ve been doing just therapy talaga, icing, and all the exercises,” shared the 29-year-old native of San Juan, Batangas after the Cool Smashers dominated the finals.
“Pero yung last talaga, before payagan nila ako kailangan kong maka-jump and maka-laterals so I was able to do it naman,” she added.
Valdez’s all-around brilliance was on full display in the winner-take-all finale, scoring nine points to go along with 13 excellent digs and eight excellent receptions in the 25-21, 25-19, 25-18 win over the Taiwanese club.
The Ateneo product said that what made her fifth championship Creamline extra special was the fact that the team came out of the conference healthy and intact.
“Sobrang extra special siya, you know why? Kasi halos lahat sa team healthy naming natapos yung conference,” said the three-time Conference MVP.
“More than ever, I think yun lang yung goal and wish namin and pinipray namin all the time na buo at kumpleto yung mga katawan namin kapag natapos kami sa conference and nangyari yun.”
Valdez also lauded KingWhale for the performance that they showcased all throughout the semifinals of the PVL Invitationals. She even said that the Cool Smashers were able to pick up a thing or two from the foreign squad after playing two games against them.
“It’s just so nice to face a team na merong never-say-die attitude. Very young, not intimidated at all by any teams, and yun yung kailangan namin as club teams also. We just have to go there, play, and play volleyball as it is and enjoy it and yun yung pinakita sa amin ng KingWhale,” said Valdez.
“Mga bata ‘man sila but they’re just playing the sport, they enjoy the sport, and yun yung minindset namin in today’s game. We really have to enjoy and play our part in this team.”
