ONE of Alyssa Valdez’ last few aspirations in an already decorated volleyball career is for another chance represent the Philippines on the international stage again.
“Medyo malabo na pero I think one of the things na I wanted talaga ever since was to give some honor to the national team, to our country,” Valdez, 31, shared with her former Ateneo teammate Gretchen Ho in an interview with ONE News just five days ago.
“Unfortunately, medyo hindi na tayo nandun sa age na 'yun.”
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Yet fate had other plans for Philippine volleyball’s ‘Phenom.’
It didn’t take a week for Valdez’ one last dream to come true as Creamline was tapped along with Petro Gazz to represent the Philippines in the 2025 AVC Women’s Champions League on home soil from April 20 to 27.
Expect one of the country’s all-time greats to wear her heart on her sleeve in her first appearance with the national team since 2023 - and probably her last.
“Binigyan ulit ako ng pagkakataon, so I will take it as a big opportunity to showcase kung ano yung mga things na natutunan ko sa previous experiences ko sa national team,” Valdez told reporters on Sunday at the sidelines of the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament.
“I’m very blessed to be given this opportunity, and I hope maging maayos and maganda yung mapakita namin for the Philippines.”
The Cool Smashers will compete against 12 of the continent’s champion club teams at PhilSports Arena, the same Pasig City venue where her last Philippine stint took place during the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.
No wonder Valdez bared mixed feelings, expressing hope that the Cool Smashers won’t lose track of their ongoing championship campaign in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
“We look forward to playing champion teams in the region. We’re very excited, but we can’t also veer away from the fact that we still need to focus on our campaign in the PVL,” Valdez said.
“It’s been a while. The last time that I played for the national team in front of our home crowd was back in 2019 in the SEA Games, so it’s very exciting.”
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