MALL of Asia Arena never fails to bring back good memories for Alyssa Valdez.
From Alyssa's days in Ateneo in the UAAP to winning championships with Creamline, the premier indoor arena in Pasay City will always be near and dear to the 28-year-old's heart.
With the semifinals of the 2022 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Open Conference shifting to the venue starting on Sunday, Valdez understandably wears a big smile on her face ahead of Game Two of Creamline's best-of-three semifinal against Choco Mucho.
"It's been a while since we've had a game in MOA. It's good to be back," she said.
Happy memories
The last time Valdez played a game there, the Cool Smashers swept the PayMaya High Flyers in the 2018 PVL Reinforced Conference Finals where she was named as the First Best Outside Spiker.
"Ang daming memories sa UAAP at PVL. Masarap balik-balikan and extra inspiration 'yun sa amin pagpasok ng court," she said.
Yet as great as her milestones were of the taraflex inside the venue, Valdez understands that she has to make new ones all the more as Creamline aims to complete the sweep against a gritty Choco Mucho side.
After all, there's no motivation better than besting your [younger] sister team.
"It's a mental game. We're two intense teams, very competitive teams," she said in this intense sibling rivalry ahead of Game Two which is expected to draw another mammoth crowd at the MOA Arena in two days' time.
"At the end of the day, we will really give our best every single game. Meron kaming motivation to keep on working harder every single training and preparation and for sure, paghahandaan din kami ng Choco Mucho."
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