Alyssa Valdez still has no timetable for a return as Creamline gears up for its title-retention bid in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference this coming February.
Valdez has yet to join the team’s practice after she sustained a right knee injury during the Cool Smashers’ bronze medal clash against Chery Tiggo in the 2022 Reinforced Conference last December.
“Honestly, sabi naman ng mga doctors and PT na I’ve been really recovering well so syempre the timeline, the timetable is di rin siya sure. They want me to get back 100 percent na hindi rin nagmamadali,” she said.
“So hopefully talaga, I’m really praying na I’ll see you guys on court this All-Filipino.”
The three-time PVL Most Valuable Player, though, is grateful that the injury did not require surgery.
“I’m very, very glad na hindi rin kailangan ng surgery grabe nung sinabi sa akin yun parang right after kasi ng MRI, after the game I went to the hospital right away and nabigyan naman agad ng assesment and good thing na mabilis din yung pagbalik if there’s no surgery,” said Valdez.
“We all know na it’s very hard kapag may open surgery ‘di ba, if there’s something put inside you as well, so as much as possible talaga the goal was to really just recover and do therapy and strengthening for me to be able to do everything again,” she added.
Despite the setback, Valdez is confident that the Cool Smashers are still a force to be reckoned with this All-Filipino Conference.
According to Valdez, the team has already proven that they can rise despite her absence, pointing out the team’s strong showings during the AVC Cup and ASEAN Grand Prix.
“I think the expectations will always be higher.
“With this kind of pressure, I believe naman, ever since last year when I had dengue everyone stepped up so I’m not really scared and I’m very much confident in this team na talagang magbibigay sila ng magandang laban this conference,” she said.
Creamline will open its campaign against Petro Gazz on February 4, 4:00 PM at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
