After almost four years, Alyssa Valdez will finally make her return to the Mall of Asia Arena.
The reigning Premier Volleyball League First Best Outside Spiker last played in the arena back in 2018 where she led Creamline to its first championship in franchise history against PayMaya.
Now, she has the chance to give the Cool Smashers their fourth title — first as a professional team — in the same place where she got them their first.
“It’s been a while since we had a game in MOA, the last time I think was the championship in the PVL na po ata in 2018,” said Valdez.
Aside from that, it was also at the MOA Arena where Valdez — arguably the most influential volleyball player in the Philippines — cemented her place as one of the best in the business at such a young age.
Back in her third year with Ateneo in the UAAP, the hard-hitting outside hitter out of San Juan, Batangas helped the Lady Eages achieve the impossible.
Valdez powered Ateneo’s 3-1 victory over the thrice-to-beat La Salle in the Season 76 finals. She was also named the Season MVP, Finals MVP, Best Scorer, and Best Server.
Then, in her fourth year, Valdez once again starred in another historic run for the Lady Eagles — sweeping the entire UAAP Season 77 en route to their second-straight championship. She once again won the Season MVP, Best Scorer, and Best Server awards.
And all of that took place at the MOA Arena in Pasay.
“So, it’s good to be back ang daming memories sa UAAP and PVL so masarap balik-balikan,” shared the 28-year-old five-time V-League Club Most Valuabel Player.
Valdez also said that she will use all of that as motivation in Game Two of Creamline’s best-of-three semifinals series against Choco Mucho.
The Cool Smashers are currently ahead in the series after a 25-18, 17-25, 25-19, 25-11 Game One victory over the Flying Titans at the FilOil Flying V Arena last Friday.
“Siyempre extra inspiration yun sa amin ‘pag pasok po namin sa MOA,” said Valdez, who finished with 17 points off 13 attacks, two blocks, and two aces along with 13 excellent digs.
Creamline looks to make another run at the championship and finish off Choco Mucho on Sunday, 3:00 PM at the Mall of Asia Arena.
