Alyssa Valdez returned to Creamline’s lineup for Game 1 of their best-of-three semifinals with Chery Tiggo and did not disappoint.
Just last Tuesday in the Cool Smashers’ final assignment in the Premier Volleyball League Second All-Filipino Conference eliminations against Galeries, the three-time league MVP did not suit up to rest ahead of the semis.
Fresh off a rest, Valdez hammered 12 points against Chery Tiggo as the Cool Smashers moved a win away from advancing to the finals.
Valdez, who turned 30 last June 29, admitted that load management is important especially with her not getting any younger.
“Being in a professional league, it’s very important to be healthy all throughout the season,” said ‘The Phenom’ as she is fondly called on Thursday after their straight sets win against the Crossovers.
“Yun na yung na-realize namin at na-pick up from the past conferences with Creamline being able to play until the last game,” she continued.
The Cool Smashers have been a fixture in post-season festivities of the PVL, having reached the podium in all 13 conferences they participated in.
In the past 10 conferences they joined, Creamline made the finals in all but one – the 2022 Reinforced.
The pride of Batangas also credited their head coach, Sherwin Meneses, for keeping that line of communication with his players open all the time.
“Si Coach Sherwin meron siyang instinct na ganun. It’s not given to all the coaches. We’re just very glad na may ganung open communication sa amin. Very professional talaga,” said the Ateneo legend.
“Come to think of it, di na talaga tayo bumabata, let’s face it, di ba coach? Pero kung ganito yung pag-aalaga, naiintindihan din namin talaga na kailangang alagaan yung sarili namin at yung katawan namin, and we’re very glad our coaches are there to support us.”
