If it was all up to her, Alyssa Valdez would not hesitate to suit up and join the Cool Smashers in their upcoming stint in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference finals this Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
“Oo naman, I will always fight for the team, be it inside the court, nasa bench or nasan man. I’m really, really, willing to do whatever it takes para mas makatulong din sa team,” said the former PVL MVP when asked if she’s willing to play once she gets the green light.
Unfortunately, the decision is not solely up to her.
The three-time PVL Most Valuable Player, who is still recovering from a right knee injury, said that she is hoping to get her doctor’s approval to rejoin the team come their title defense in the All-Filipino Conference finals.
‘I’m really playing to recover as soon as possible also. Grabe yung support system from my team, from our management outside, also rehab,” Valdez said just moments after Creamline’s 25-22, 25-23, 25-16 Game Two win over F2 Logistics that catapulted them to their fifth straight All-Filipino finals appearance.
“I’m really, really praying na mas makatulong pa tayo sa ibang paraan, hopefully soon. Now, that’s all I’m gonna say. We really have to wait for my doctor’s approval,” she added.
Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses shared that Valdez already made great strides in her recovery but insisted that they won’t force Valdez back into action in the finals.
“Ah sa tingin ko kasi di namin pipilitin eh. Pero kung ang doctors ang magsasabi na allowed siya maglaro, palalaruin namin. Pero as of now kasi, medyo delikado pa eh. Hopefully makalaro si Alyssa,” Meneses said.
“Di ko ma-straight yung sagot kasi yung doctor talaga yung nagsasabi kung fit na siya maglaro. Pero ngayon, maganda kasi yung condition niya. Talagang nag-iimprove na yung injury niya. Naghi-heal na.”
