ANTIPOLO — Creamline team captain Alyssa Valdez finally made her much-anticipated return to the court on Saturday night after a nagging injury kept her out of the last two conferences.
Valdez played off the bench and helped the Cool Smashers secure a statement debut victory over rival Petro Gazz in straight sets, 25-19, 25-22, 25-16, in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Ynares Center here.
The three-time PVL MVP finished with four points and was pivotal in Creamline’s game-clinching 14-3 run in the third set, which completely staved off the Brooke Van Sickle-led Angels.
When asked if she has reached her desired level of fitness, Valdez said she is taking things one game at a time and celebrating small victories after an exhausting four-month recovery process.
(C) PVL Images
“You know, honestly, it’s just so nice to be able to feel that I am able to jump again, to spike again, to help again… So if you’re going to ask me how far… I think right now I just wanna celebrate what I have right now, in the present,” said Valdez.
“I wanna stay in the present, that’s one thing that I’ve learned also. Present, and celebrate small wins, stay in the present, just be glad and grateful for everything that is happening right now,” she added.
“So, sana lang I take it one day at a time. Hopefully, mas ma-enjoy ko pa at mas makatulong sa team at sana makabalik ako sa 100 percent.”
The Ateneo legend said that she saw volleyball in a different light during her time off the court, sharing the struggles she had to endure during her layoff.
“To be honest, it wasn’t easy. It’s hot and cold, may mga days na okay, may mga days na hindi talaga. It’s part of the process talaga, mas doon tumitibay yung loob, yung katawan. Dun talaga nare-reinvent ko yung sarili ko, so I guess why, I saw volleyball in a different perspective. That’s why I am glad to be back,” Valdez said.
Valdez shared that her primary motivation for returning to the court was rediscovering the thrill and joy of playing the sport she loves, which ultimately fueled her successful comeback.
Seeing her teammates step up for her and put out their best amidst adversity was also a factor that pushed her in her recovery.
(c) PVL Images
“Motivation talaga would be to enjoy volleyball again. One of the things na we’ve been doing talaga, finding, we’ve been training hard…but I think at the end of the day, we enjoy it more than ever, mas iba yung mabibigay na saya, and yung mga panalo, and yung mga sa amin,” she continued.
“Being on the sideline for the two conferences, I just saw how talented and amazing my teammates are. That’s one thing for sure. How they want to play volleyball in such a way na nagtutulungan talaga sila. I think from then on, because of that as well, I realized that I just have to actually enjoy the sport again, be back, and be happier than ever. Hopefully, ‘yun din yung energy na maitulong ko sa kanila.”
Now back, the former national team star is exercising caution as she aims to return in tip-top form and avoid any more injuries moving forward.
“Kondisyon at makabalik sa paglalaro talaga, so I think yung regimen ko from before until now, hindi talaga siya magbabago. I’ll take my training more seriously and my therapy seriously, regiliously din talaga kasi it’s been working,” said Valdez.
“Aside from that, we know we’re a veteran team as well, so kami nagsheshare kami sa bawat isa, kung ano makakatulong sa isa’t isa. Maybe, just a simple vitamins, or kung ano yung recovery na ginagawa nila, yung mga maliliit na bagay makakatulong talaga sa amin in the long run.”
