The Ateneo de Manila University v Adamson University tilt yesterday had no bearing for each team. The Lady Eagles had already clinched a twice-to-beat advantage and the Lady Falcons had been eliminated from Final Four contention weeks ago.
Wherever she goes, Alyssa Valdez will forever be associated with her epic battles against arch rivals the De La Salle University. But ever since her rookie year, Alyssa Valdez always had amazing games against the Lady Falcons.
Adamson, before their program began to degenerate over the past two years, had always taken it to Valdez and the Lady Eagles.
The Best of Valdez and the Lady Falcons
Five setters and career-highs were the themes of Adamson vs Ateneo.
In the second round of Season 75, Adamson got a rare win over Ateneo. Valdez was spectacular throughout four and a half sets, scoring 35 points.
At the time, Valdez had notoriously been suffering from cramping, especially in extended matches. Like this season, Valdez had been constantly targeted by opposing server,s which took a toll on the eventual Best Scorer.
Then coach Roger Gorayeb had to sub Valdez out midway through the set, allowing Sheila Pineda, Pau Soriano, and Mayette Zapanta to seal the deal for the Lady Falcons.
During the Final Four of the same season, they met again, with Ateneo taking the match and marching on to the Finals.
An even more dramatic Season 76.
Heading into their second round meeting, the Lady Eagles had lost back-to-back matches to DLSU after newly-installed head coach Tai Bundit attended to matters in Thailand.
In Bundit’s first game back, Adamson again dragged the Lady Eagles to five sets. Things looked bleak in the final frame as Adamson took the lead, 13-10, after rookie middle hitter Mylene Paat finished two plays in a row.
Timeout Ateneo.
It was at that time Valdez first showed she can carry the team. It had been her first season without the Fab Five, and there were questions over whether she could shoulder such a huge burden with mostly rookies and former bench players flanking her.
Valdez scored on four of the next five plays for Ateneo, leading a 5-0 game-clinching rally to seal the deal. Valdez tallied 32 points, showing critics and fans that she’s not only the best, but the clutchest player in the league.
If there was a lasting image of that season, it would have to be Valdez’s “final hug streak”, which she started with the Lady Falcons in that year’s stepladder.
After beating Adamson in straight sets, Valdez hugged the graduating Bang Pineda, starting a ritual where she embraced the fallen, graduating captains of her foes. She followed with a hug for former high school teammate Dindin Santiago after eliminating the NU Lady Bulldogs, then she comforted her former teammate, Kim Fajardo, as well as the sobbing DLSU captain Aby Maraño after leading her team to its first title in history.
Season 77 had the last entertaining AdU-ADMU tilt. Heading into their second round meeting, the Lady Eagles had multiple injuries, with Bea De Leon out due to a hand injury.
Aeriel Patnongon took her spot, but she sprained her ankle midway through the match. Libero Denden Lazaro was also playing through a severe ankle injury.
But, as always, Valdez had Ateneo’s back in another five-setter, topping her career-high with 30 points and keeping their undefeated season alive.
Although the Lady Falcons could not hold up their end of the bargain and provide the public with one last classic clash this season, Valdez still lamented her exhausting bouts with the ladies from San Marcelino.
“It’s been five years that I’ve been playing with Adamson. They really give us a hard time – their defense is super solid talaga,” Valdez said, after defeating the Lady Falcons one last time in the UAAP.
“I hope na magkalaban-laban pa rin kami outside of the UAAP. I hope na maging teammates ko yung iba sa kanila. They gave us a super great fights since Day One pa,” Valdez added.
There is already an overwhelming sense of dread around the volleyball community in Valdez’s last year. She just took out one of her most heated rivals in her career. Pretty soon she’ll be playing her last UAAP match.
As Valdez leaves and Adamson continues on its path of uncertainty, who knows when this matchup will ever be relevant again?
