In her three matches with 3BB Nakornnont in the Women’s Volleyball Thailand League, Alyssa Valdez had made significant leaps with her game, slowly earning more playing time with the Thai club team.
But when her country came calling, Valdez responded.
With the Manila tryouts for the National Team scheduled while she was in Thailand, Valdez went out of her way to travel to the Davao tryouts, last Saturday.
Luckily for the 23-year-old, the VTL had scheduled a break in competition this week. While she could have chosen to stay in Thailand and continue training with 3BB, the chance to play for the National Team was just too much to pass up.
“I’m just really glad na I had a quick visit. The primary purpose of this visit is to go to Davao and try out for national team. I accomplished that naman, hopefully, babalik na rin yung result ng tryout,” said Valdez, who campaigned for the country during the 2015 Asian Women’s U23 Volleyball Championship.
“I really enjoyed bring in Davao kasi may friends din ako dun. I’m just really overwhelmed sa support ng Davaoeños na nagpunta dun just to see the tryout.”
Most memorable for the three-time UAAP MVP was her reunion with University of Santo Tomas high school head coach and National Team head coach, Francis Vicente.
“I really consider him as a father figure talaga. It was nice seeing and getting coaching from him again and hopefully I get the chance to play on the team,” expressed the former UST Junior Golden Tigress.
“Siyempre, very thankful ako na pumunta si Alyssa kasi she’s a really good player. I don’t want to make assurances, pero I’m happy that she tried out,” said Vicente.
“I think every player would want to be a player for the national team. Hopefully, I get that chance again,” Valdez admitted.
