Two days before the start of the 2022 PNVF AVC Cup for Women, the Philippine Women’s National Volleyball Team received a huge downer.
Alyssa Valdez, the team’s heart and soul, contracted dengue fever. This will cause her to miss the entire tournament.
Since then, though, player after player has continued to step up in lieu of their “Ate Ly”.
Even off-the-bench players Lorie Bernardo, Rose Vargas, and Pau Soriano had their moments in the country’s 25-18, 25-13, 25-17 sweep of South Korea on Thursday at the PhilSports Arena.
But at the forefront of the Cool Smashers’ attack were Jema Galanza, Tots Carlos, and Michele Gumabao.
“Isa na rin sa inspirasyon namin si Ate Ly. Ngayon na hindi namin nakakasama, so yun talaga yung pinanghuhugutan namin,” Galanza said after their game against the young Korean squad.
The Philippines has nailed back-to-back wins and booked a spot in the quarterfinals. And it surely helps Valdez’s recovery, knowing her team is doing well in the continental meet.
Whatever the outcome of the country’s knockout game against Thailand on Saturday, it will be the Philippines’ best finish in the tourney after ending ninth in its last edition in 2018.
“Alam mo ‘yun pag nanonood siya mas lumalakas ‘yung katawan niya ngayon,” added the 2019 PVL Open Conference MVP.
Against Thailand, the Nationals know what they’re up to, a solid squad that has been together for quite some time. A team that has always had the numbers of the Philippines.
But Galanza and company will not let that affect their play come Saturday at 8:00 PM. Instead, they will focus on what they can control.
“Thailand kasi buo na talaga since sobrang tagal na rin so kami mas focused lang kami sa sarili namin, ‘yung mga kailangan namin itama,” she said.
“Siguro ‘yung puso na lang din talaga sa laro.”
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