ALYSSA Valdez believes the Rebisco Volleyball League is a big boost not only to college leagues like the UAAP and NCAA but most especially to the women’s national volleyball team program.
Gracing the national finals of the Girls 18-and-under tournament ruled by Kings’ Montessori, Valdez was happy to see a glimpse of Philippines volleyball’s future with a lot of talented high school stars in the league organized by Rebisco.
“Nakakatuwa na madami tayong nakikitang talents not just siguro for college teams from UAAP and NCAA,” said the Creamline superstar, who watched the game with teammates Melissa Gohing and Fille Cainglet-Cayetano on Friday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
“I think definitely ang magbe-benifit dito yung national team natin kasi saan din ba kami nagsimula? Dito lang din naman naglalaro sa national team.”
Valdez, who used to be a UST high school star before becoming an Ateneo Lady Eagles legend and one of the best volleyball players in the country, reminisced about her high school days while watching RVL.
“We’d been through this naman when we were in high school also so we’re really thankful na nagtuloy-tuloy din yung program from sa nilalaruan namin na tournament hanggang ngayon,” the three-time UAAP MVP said. “I think we really gained experiences from this going to our collegiate teams din.”
Valdez believed that Rebisco’s commitment to the grassroots program of Philippine volleyball is the reason why all the young players have great potential.
“I think one factor kung bakit maganda rin talaga, well-rounded yung mga players na napo-produce ngayon it’s because of these tournaments,” she said.
Valdez is confident that the future of Philppine volleyball is bright, especially that RVL already brought three international teams from Hawaii, Malaysia and New Zealand against nine regional champions all over the country for a higher level of competition.
“Malaki-laki na yung competition, mas madami ng kakompitensya yung bawat manlalaro sa national team,” she said. “so mas gaganda talaga yung programa, hopefully, kung maganda din yung patakbo ng Philippine volleyball.”
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