Alyssa Valdez is really back.
The three-time Premier Volleyball League conference MVP showed that her explosion against F2 Logistics on Thursday was no fluke, delivering another clutch performance in yet another five-setter on Saturday.
Valdez scored a personal conference-high of 22 points, distributed through 18 attacks, two blocks, and two service aces, to help Creamline down Cignal in five sets, 23-25, 25-16, 25-21, 24-26, 15-10, at a packed Philsports Arena.
Prior to the Invitational Conference, Valdez was sidelined for seven months due to a knee injury.
“Syempre malaking advantage yung experience nila lalo na sa ganyang mga labanan. Alam naman natin na bihira lang ang nakakaexperience ng mga ganyang labanan, so siguro si Ly madami siya,” said Cool Smashers head coach Sherwin Meneses.
“So masaya kami na nakabalik na talaga si Alyssa. Malaking tulong talaga sa amin,” he added.
Valdez was one of three Creamline players in double figures, with Tots Carlos leading the pack with 27, while Jema Galanza chipped in 21 points of her own.
With the Cool Smashers’ back-to-back five-set victories, along with their win against PLDT in pool play, they rose to 3-0 before their games against the foreign teams.
For her part, Valdez is grateful to be able to contribute to Creamline’s cause again after being reduced to being a cheerleader in the past conference.
“Honestly, ang saya sa pakiramdam na nakakapagcontribute ka, and it’s nice to alam mo yon as galing sa injury. Okay din na nagi-gauge ko na rin kung nasaan na yung result or tinrabaho ko for the last past 7-8 months,” said Valdez, who went for 17 points against the Cargo Movers.
“Masaya lang ako na nandito sila, and masaya kami na lahat nagtutulong-tulong sa Creamline,” she said about their balanced attack.
