As the 13th Shakey’s V-League Reinforced Conference raises its curtains this weekend, a familiar face will be seen in a new territory.
Volleyball phenom Alyssa Valdez, who was last seen in a Bali Pure Water Defenders uniform, will now be representing neophyte franchise Bureau of Customs Transformers in the import-laden conference.
The Ateneo alumna admits that she still has to cope with the new environment with the Customs, but is excited as she will have the opportunity to play against her teammates for years.
“It’s kinda new for me to be apart from my former teammates since college,” said Valdez during the SVL press conference, Friday afternoon at the ELJ Communications Center in Quezon City.
“But for us it’s gonna be exciting. And for sure we’re gonna learn a lot of things being apart.”
Now that she is in a new environment and with a new team, the three-time UAAP MVP is positive and hopeful that she and her Atenean mates will learn and develop further individually as they will play against each other on rare occasions.
“Sana mag-grow kami as an individual and as an athlete fighting against each other. Pero for sure healthy competition naman,” said the 5’10” open spiker.
As for her new home, the BOC Transformers, which will have their maiden stint this upcoming conference, Valdez shared that chemistry will not be an issue despite the fact that all people involved — from the players to the coaches — are new acquisitions.
“We’re playing the same sport naman. We have the same passion for volleyball. We have common denominators so hindi naman kami mahihirapan mag-adjust sa isa’t-isa,” stated the Batangas native.
The Transformers are a new squad in the V-League, so the team’s modest goal in the tourney, according to Valdez, is to play and give their best to be able to provide competition to the other teams.
“Since bago talaga yung team, goal namin is to play our hearts out.”
