Alyssa Valdez provided import Yeliz Basa the much-needed support in Creamline’s close four-set encounter against Petro Gazz at the PhilSports Arena, Tuesday.
Basa, who came off a 17-point performance in the four-set win against PLDT, carried the scoring load with 28 points on 24 attacks, two kill blocks, and two aces while Valdez flaunted her all-around game with 14 points, 22 excellent digs, and 15 excellent receptions in the 25-19, 16-25, 25-18, 27-25 victory against the Angels.
The Turkish reinforcement fired crucial back-to-back attacks to tie the crucial fourth set at 24-all. Valdez then took charge and nailed an off the block hit to break a 25-all deadlock before a net violation on Petro Gaz capped the game.
Also contributing in the win was Jema Galanza with 13 points. Meanwhile, Jia De Guzman dished 24 excellent sets as Kyla Atienza gathered 16 excellent digs and seven receptions.
“Grabe yung effort ni Yelo today, monster points talaga so we really have to help her in terms of the output din so yun lang yung contribution talaga. We have to contribute,” Valdez said.
“Alam mo during the whole match it’s whole hard to get hanggang dulo kasi dikdikan talaga so kapag nandun kana sa dulo, yun lang yung sinasabi ni coach na you really have to give it all. Kapag naka-score sila, then one stop lang talaga. Yun lang iniisip namin,” she continued.
Valdez was left in awe after witnessing the clash between Basa and Angels import Lindsey Vander Weide, who also finished with 28 points.
The former league MVP said that coming out with a win against Petro Gazz — the same team that they lost the Reinforced Conference crown to back in 2019 — will definitely be a huge confidence booster for Basa and the rest of the Cool Smashers.
“Well definitely it will help us siguro. We can do better as a team din and definitely grabe yung confidence na mabibigay niya kay Yelo,” said Valdex.
“Nagtapatan din talaga sila both imports, napakaganda nung match talaga and hopefully marami kaming natutunan talaga kasi ang dami naming lapses, the little ball, small balls… yung basic errors nga sabi ni coach so mas marami pa kaming natutunan kahit nanalo kami. We really wanna give a good fight to Petro Gazz all the time rin.”
