There is no question that Alyssa Valdez is eager to represent the country.
“As an athlete, if tatanungin mo ‘ko kung gusto ko maglaro, siyempre hindi naman tayo hihindi para sa bayan,” the perennial national team campaigner asserted.
The 26-year-old has been a part of the Philippine National Women’s Volleyball Team for quite some time now. She has carried the flag on her back for various international competitions.
For now, though, Valdez has no choice but to pass up a chance to once again don the tri-colors of the country.
The five-time V-League Most Valuable Player is recuperating from a right ankle injury she sustained a week before the first leg of the Southeast Asian Grand Prix, which begins on September 20.
“Parang mag-one week na rin talaga na I’m still recovering and doing therapy,” the proud daughter of Batangas disclosed. “I’m starting to get [better], working on my range. Hindi ko alam yung mga technical terms kasi eh, pero now, nagra-range na kami. Tina-try na namin yung may mga weight.
“Hopefully by Thursday this week, maging cleared na talaga ako ni Doc [Raul] Canlas para maka-training na ako full time, for Creamline also.”
Valdez joins Mika Reyes on the injury list of the national team. The latter is steadily recovering from an injury to her left knee, which she incurred during Petron’s campaign in the 2019 PSL All-Filipino Conference.
With a growing concern for the availability of the national pool members, Valdez hopes that injuries won’t be an issue for the country’s volleyball program from hereon out.
“Hopefully, maging healthy lang lahat. No more injuries for everyone and I’m wishing the national team good luck,” said Valdez, who has her fellow national team campaigners’ backs on and off the court.
“So, really looking forward na makapag-cheer tayo para sa kanila. First leg muna, so focus muna tayo sa first leg.”
