Creamline skipper Alyssa Valdez is slowly regaining steam as the Cool Smashers set their eyes on the upcoming semifinals of the 2023 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference.
Valdez, who earlier admitted in the conference that she is still in the process of regaining her old form, put on her best performance yet for Creamline this year in the win over Akari.
She finished with a conference-high of 12 points in the 25-19, 24-26, 26-24, 25-19 victory against the Chargers, allowing the Rebisco-backed squad to complete a 4-0 sweep of Pool A on Saturday at the Philsports Arena.
Valdez missed a total of seven months after injuring her right knee in the bronze series of the Reinforced Conference last December.
“It’s nice to actually play full games na rin talaga. With this level of competition, I’m just really grateful that I’m given this opportunity by my coaches na makapaglaro rin talaga,” said Valdez after the win.
“Alam naman natin na marami rin talagang maglalaro for our team, but I’m just really grateful for the opportunity. Pag pinapasok talaga, I would really want to contribute to the team,” she added.
Creamline outside hitter Jema Galanza, who has been shouldering the scoring load for the team along with Tots Carlos, said that she’s very glad to see Valdez finally regain her form following her long layoff.
Galanza bared that Valdez’s resurgence comes at the best possible time as Creamline gears up for the round-robin semifinals where they will take on foreign squads Kurashiki Ablaze of Japan and Kinh Bac-Bac Ninh of Vietnam.
“Sobrang happy na nakakalaro na siya nang maayos, na wala ng iniinda. Hindi siya awkward maglaro na. Sobrang layo na ng itsura niya kapag naglalaro noon sa ngayon and sobrang happy na nakikita ko na nakakabalik na siya,” said the former league MVP, who finished with a game-high 16 points against Akari.
“Sobrang laking impact na nasa loob siya sa court kasi grabe yung leadership niya saka pampagising siya e. Kapag nawawala kami, nagsasalita siya, doon magigising yung team so importante talaga yun sa amin,” she added.
As for the 30-year-old Ateneo product, she said that she’s looking forward to the high level of play in the semifinals. Valdez also hopes to contribute more to the Cool Smashers’ cause in the playoffs.
“Nilu-look forward ko na sana makapag-scout kami. Siyempre, iba pa rin yung mapag-aralan yung teams na makakalaban namin. I’m really looking forward to really high-quality volleyball games this coming semis, most especially na ang ganda rin ng pinapakita ng other pool,” said Valdez.
“Mas matindi yung mga labanan and for sure mas entertaining yung mga games, and it’s anybody’s ball game.”
