ALYSSA Valdez broke her silence on the issues that have engulfed Philippine volleyball, calling for unity and athlete-centered leadership after Alas Pilipinas wrapped up a tumultuous 2026 AVC Women's Cup campaign.
After the Nationals absorbed a straight-sets defeat to Iran to finish in eighth place, Valdez acknowledged the turmoil surrounding the sport but urged the next generation not to lose faith in the dream of representing the country.
READ: Alas spirals downward to eighth-place finish in AVC Women's Cup
Alas Women entered the tournament amid months of uncertainty brought about by leadership conflicts, federation issues and a wave of player withdrawals by members of the previous national pool.
The result was the country's worst AVC Women's Cup finish since debuting in 2023, in stark contrast to the bronze-medal run in 2024 and silver medal in 2025.
For Valdez, however, the conversation extends beyond wins and losses.
The Alas Women captain directly addressed the growing concerns being voiced across the volleyball community, driving home the need for leaders that put athletes first.
“I am aware of the challenges and conversations surrounding our sport, and I understand the concerns being raised from different sides. Bilang naging bahagi ng national team, alam kong marami pang kailangang linawin at ayusin," Valdez wrote.
"At a time like this, what the sport needs is not more division, but leadership in all its forms. Leadership that listens. Leadership that puts the welfare of athletes first. For the sports community, for the fans, for the country.”
'Iisa ang hangarin'
Valdez also appealed for continued support despite the divisions that have emerged in recent months.
“Pero ngayon, higit kailanman, kailangan natin ang suporta ng volleyball community. Ngayon, hindi man pare-pareho ang paraan, ang mahalaga ay iisa ang hangarin, isang mas maayos, patas, at mas matatag na sistema para sa susunod na henerasyon ng atletang Pilipino.
Valdez made it clear that the bigger fight is ensuring that the next generation inherits a stronger system than the one currently under scrutiny.
“Para sa bawat atletang patuloy na nangangarap, lalo na sa mga kabataang nagsisimula pa lang, padayon tayo. Sana hindi kayo mapagod, matakot, o sumuko sa pangarap n’yong magrepresent ng bansa sa kabila ng ingay at gulo sa paligid," she said.
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