Alyssa Valdez is set to reunite with a familiar face on Friday.
The reigning Open Conference Finals MVP will share the court once more with her former coach Teng Yen-Min at the Filoil EcoOil Arena when the finals-bound Creamline takes on KingWhale Taipei for its final match in the semifinals.
Back in 2017, Valdez played one season for Attack Line under Teng in the Chinese-Taipei Volleyball League.
“May history rin ako with them but what I’ve known iba rin talaga ang culture nila when they play. Iba rin yung galawan ng Taipei,” said Valdez after the team’s win over Cignal last Monday.
Valdez said that she is thrilled to welcome her coach, and some of her former teammates, into the country’s first-ever professional league.
The former Ateneo star also shared that she already had past encounters with Teng back when she was with the national team but this would be the first time that they will face each other wearing their respective clubs’ colors.
“I’m just really happy na mawe-welcome natin sila. Lagi talaga naming nakakalaban sila coach kapag Chinese Taipei yung nakakalaban namin sa mga AVC kapag Philippine team,” said Valdez.
“Now as a club team, first time ko silang makakalaban and I’m just really happy na andito sila. I’m really looking forward na ma-enjoy nila ang crowd ng Philippines and ma-enjoy nila yung stay nila dito.”
Teng, meanwhile, also expressed her excitement about their upcoming match-up. She also acknowledged how strong the Cool Smashers are and vowed that her side will do their best on Friday.
“I’m happy to meet Alyssa (again) because Alyssa played in Taiwan for one season so we have many good times. I’m so excited and Alyssa, I know how you play,” Teng said.
“But I know Creamline is a strong team, right? So we are challenged. We’ll try because we have too much young players.”
