CANDON CITY — Even Alyssa Valdez still has more than a few firsts left to experience.
The most decorated name in Philippine volleyball, the vanguard of the sport's astronomical rise in the last decade and a half, and the cornerstone of the PVL's winningest team will now headline the first-ever professional All-Star Game.
And yet, for the now-age 32 Creamline captain-slash-champion, the approach is simple: treat this first as if it were also her last.
“Nakakatuwa pa rin na makasama dito kasi there are so many players na sobrang deserving to be part of this and to be chosen to be part of this All-Star,” she said.
“Hindi pa rin mawawala ‘yung pasasalamat sa lahat ng mga taong bumuboto and sa lahat ng mga taong nagtitiwala pa rin. Exactly one of the reasons why I think I just want to enjoy this is because I’m not sure if, ‘di ba, first and last natin ‘to.”
Many have since ridden the waves caused by the floodgates Valdez had opened - and getting to team up with those new faces from the next generation is one more reason to relish this midseason exhibition.
In particular, the 'Phenom' will share the court with Capital1's Bella Belen and Cignal's Vanie Gandler, and she is looking forward to finding out exactly what makes these fresh superstars tick.
“It’s my first time to play, I think, with Bella and Vanie, if I’m not mistaken, so it’s just so nice na maka-teammate din ‘yung mga ina-idolize ng mga kabataan ngayon,” she said.
“I just really wanna see how they actually prepare for a game, ‘yung mga ganun. Siyempre, ‘yun ‘yung mga little things na gusto ko makita na feeling ko, ma-i-inspire rin ako na mas maglaro pa and makasama sila.”
READ: Valdez after latest Creamline title: 'I still want it and I still have it'
At the very core of this landmark All-Star Game, though, Valdez is just taking it all in. Now, it's less about proving anything else and more about enjoying a rare moment where the league’s best come together after a grueling conference.
“It’s just so nice na lahat naman in the community are friends, so nakakatuwa lang din at meron tayong chance after that intense finals, intense conference, na magsama-sama at mag-enjoy para sa ating volleyball community,” she said.
Make no mistake, however, with how competitive these stars are, the game itself will never be a snoozefest. And so, expect it to be a doozy, still.
“Lalabas at lalabas ‘yung competitiveness at lalabas at lalabas din ‘yung quote-unquote gustong manalo, kung anumang form ng panalo ‘man ‘yun,” the Cool Smashers' All-Star outside spiker said.
First year high
For her part, Belen is of the same mind.
“Ako, as a competitive, feeling ko, lalabas din talaga ‘yan eh. I mean, lahat naman po kami. Siguro merong part na fun lang, pero ‘pag nakita namin na kunwari mananalo na ‘yung kabilang team, lalabas talaga yung pagiging competitive ng bawat isa,” she said.
“At the end of the day, we’re all athletes, ‘di ba? Hindi naman mawawala ‘yung competitiveness. For sure, I bet, magkakaroon ng moments.”
Nonetheless, Belen is just out to enjoy the first of what would surely be many All-Star selections, especially since she did not even expect to make the cut this early.
If there's one young talent who has a shot at reaching the same great heights Valdez has, however, it's the Solar Spikers rookie who wasted no time proving her worth as No. 1 overall pick and putting her upstart franchise on the map.
READ: Belen believes blue-and-yellow looks good on Gandler and Co.
That's all just about to come in the tomorrow, however, and for today, Belen is, put simply, embracing her place among the 28 All-Stars.
“Masaya kasi kahit bago ako, nare-recognize na kung ano pa ‘yung kaya ko gawin sa volleyball and all,” she said.
“Super comfortable ako as of now. Parang hindi ko nararamdaman na rookie ako. Feeling ko nga, matagal na kami magkakasama eh.”
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