Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

ADMU

Valdez on final stretch: ‘Feeling ko ang tanda ko na’


Exactly like NBA great Kobe Bryant, Alyssa Valdez is also on a farewell tour.

Arguably no player comes close to the type of impact Valdez has had on the local volleyball scene; taking the sport from a niche to the mainstream – one electric smile at a time.

Now playing out her fifth and final season in the UAAP, the reigning MVP admits that she is beginning to absorb the experience as much as she can.

“Siyempre may mixed emotions ako. Sobrang happy ako kasi parang matatapos din pala. I really had and am having a great time at Ateneo,” Valdez reflected. “But then nakaka-sad din na ‘yung comfort zone mo mawawala na which is college. You’re gonna go the real world na so it’s scary din.”

“But then I’m really trying to make the most out of the time na binigay sa akin ngayon so enjoy lang. Feeling ko tumatanda ako kapag iniisp ko,” she added.UAAP-78-Volleyball-ADMU-vs.-AdU-Valdez-0380 Valdez on final stretch: 'Feeling ko ang tanda ko na' ADMU News UAAP Volleyball  - philippine sports news

“Nakakagulat nga ‘yung mga faces na nakikita ko sa court. Parang oh my god, I’m so old. Lumipas na ‘yung isang generation, nandito pa rin ako.”

The Lady Eagles are currently leading the UAAP at 5-0 with their final two matches of the first round coming on Wednesday against the UE Lady Warriors then their much-awaited Finals rematch with De La Salle University Lady Spikers on Saturday.

As she plays out her final match, she’ll meet teams whose hopes she vanquished, young players that she inspired to play, and familiar foes who have become her friends over the years.

#ReadMore  UAAP 84: Ateneo quickly dispatches UE ahead of Adamson clash

Even if she tries to shrug it off, each of her last few matches are going to be emotional spectacles for everyone who loves the sport.

“Ayokong ma-feel (sadness). Si coach naman ang gusto niya parang maging isip bata kami inside the court. Kailangan maglaro kami na wala kaming alam so that every game will feel new to us – fresh, para excited pa rin kami matuto,” Valdez expressed. “Malayo pa, ayoko lang masyadong isipin kasi I feel old.”

Written By

Miguel Luis Flores fell face first into sports writing in high sch9l and has never gotten up. He reluctantly stumbled into the volleyball beat when he started with Tiebreaker Times three years ago. Now, he has waded through everything volleyball - from its icky politics to the post-modern art that is Jia Morado's setting.




You May Also Like

News

Cignal sustained its blazing start to the 2025 PVL On Tour, handing Creamline its first loss in dominant fashion with a stunning 25-22, 25-18,...

News

VIGAN, ILOCOS SUR — Creamline team captain Alyssa Valdez was left in awe of the overwhelming support shown by passionate Ilocano fans during the...

News

VIGAN, ILOCOS SUR — Creamline fended off a gritty challenge from Akari to come away with a hard-fought four-set win, 27-25, 22-25, 25-19, 25-18,...

News

VIGAN, ILOCOS SUR — Creamline spoiled the debut of new Capital1 head coach Jorge Souza de Brito, asserting its dominance with a commanding straight-set...

News

VIGAN, ILOCOS SUR — After two years of competing overseas and leading the national team, Jia De Guzman is finally coming home—and her Creamline...

2025 FIVB World Men’s Championship

Long before they became household names, Bryan Bagunas and Alyssa Valdez shared a dream: to raise the level of Philippine volleyball — men’s and...

ADMU

Ateneo de Manila University is preparing to enter a new era in UAAP Season 88 as co-captains Lyann De Guzman and AC Miner bid...

News

Creamline continues to add more feathers to its already decorated cap, securing both the Team of the Year and Coach of the Year accolades...

Advertisement