ALYSSA Valdez couldn’t help but giggle as she walked down the halls of the Filoil Flying V Centre.
Plastered on the wall of en route to the player’s dugout was a brand new ad for Gatorade. One side has current NBA All-Star Paul George and one of the best basketball players eve,r Michael Jordan.
On the left stands Gilas Pilipinas stalwarts Terrence Romeo and Calvin Abueva.
Right in the middle was Valdez herself in her classic Ateneo de Manila University jersey.
“Nakakaloka nga ‘yung katabi ko, ano? Tinabi ako sa mga bigatin talaga,” Valdez quipped.
For someone who’s done hundreds of ads, and is the ambassador for several other brands, this spot holds a special place in Valdez’s heart.
Both Gatorade and the Filoil Flying V Centre represent beginnings for Valdez.
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The Batangueña recalls the first time she played in the San Juan Arena, back when she was still a University of Santo Tomas Junior Tigress.
She’s played there so much that it has almost become a second home for her. In turn, Valdez drew the crowds and, consequentially, the revenue that helped mold the FilOil Flying V Centre into the bastion of volleyball in Metro Manila. Gatorade, on the other hand, was one of Valdez’s first sponsors.
In a lot of aspects, being on several murals in the place where it all began for her brings everything full circle for Valdez.
Valdez has made it. But still, she has never let the success make her, remaining as the same humble girl that grew up in San Juan, Batangas.
“Dito talaga nagsimula lahat. Honestly, sa lahat, Gatorade talaga ‘yung pinaka-unang kumuha and nagtiwala sa akin to get me as one of their ambassadors. I’m just really happy na they still trust me,” the four-time V-League Most Valuable Player told Tiebreaker Times after she scored 37 points and led the Creamline Cool Smashers to their second win in the Open Conference.
“Nagulat ako. Sabi nga noong boss ko sa Gatorade, ‘I hope you like it'” the 24-year-old added. “Siyempre naman, sino ba naman hindi mai-inspire na makikita mo ‘yung sarili throughout the arena na pinaglalaruan mo.
“But, definitely there’s a little pressure sa mga ganito, ‘yun din ‘yung makakapag-push sa’yo to work harder than usual.”
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Every time she sees one of her ads, Valdez still looks back and feels thankful for everyone who’s helped her reach this point in her career.
“Nakakagulat pa rin. It’s weird because there are a lot of athletes na talented and very successful and charismatic. I’m really blessed na isa ako sa mga nabigyan ng opportunities na mailagay sa mga ads and tina-trust ng mga brands,” the national team stalwart shared.
“It’s one way of saying nga na kailangan talaga to work harder para ma-maintain mo ‘yung relationship mo hindi lang as an ambassador but a family relationship with all the brands.”
