The future of Philippine women's volleyball has arrived. And the players are better, stronger and - yes - younger.
Creamline captain Alyssa Valdez, who helped raise the profile of Philippine volleyball to what it is now, is the first to acknowledge that the crop of young stars is at the doorstep of superstardom and ready to inherit the mantle of leadership.
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“Change is inevitable, so we just accept and embrace it. For me, I think I just have to also realize that in no time, it will definitely happen,” Valdez told SPIN.ph regarding the continued advance of college standouts to the pro ranks.
“All these kids will be playing in the pros. May mag-aadd nang mag-aadd sa number ng age namin.”
With the emergence of PVL-bound Bella Belen, Angel Canino and UAAP top rookie Shaina Nitura, Valdez, now 31 believes it will not be long before these young women will become household names and superstars in the PVL
It will be all for the better, she said.
“Definitely, they’re all welcome in the PVL. We welcome them and we actually can’t wait to see all of them here in the PVL,” Valdez said.
“It’s also one way of making sure na yung level of competition, nandun pa rin sa PVL.”
Creamline’s newest flavors
The change is also happening in her team, Creamline. The Cool Smashers’ eight-year championship dynasty has been mostly intact in seasons past, with only a few new faces entering the fray per season.
But this year, the 10-time PVL champions added two middle blockers in 24-year-old National U ace Sheena Toring and 23-year-old University of the Philippines mainstay Nica Celis.
Infusing young blood to a veteran champion team is the kind of change Valdez believes will give fresh energy to the league’s most successful franchise.
“It’s something new for us, definitely. I think a little change is really good,” Valdez said.
“Alam mo, one thing na we just want is for them to feel at home in Creamline. Hopefully, they enjoy playing the sport as much as they enjoyed it back in the UAAP. Yun yung isa sa mga goals namin for them.”
With all of what is happening, how is the ‘Phenom’ coping and adjusting to the sport’s changing times?
“Paano ako magco-cope? Definitely, inspiration ko sila to be better and to stay disciplined and determined to be at my best, to give my best every single game,” Valdez said.
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