ALYSSA Valdez and Bella Belen have more than a few things in common.
Both had meteoric rises to college volleyball stardom as heralded outside spikers; both are UAAP champion-MVPs, both are standouts with the national team.
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They are also both under the tutelage of Grand Slam coach Sherwin Meneses with Creamline and National University, and even share the same birthday — June 29.
One might consider Belen a ‘second coming’ of Valdez given how much they already have in common at this point in the Lady Bulldogs captain’s promising career.
Valdez, however, sees things differently. The ‘Phenom’ believes that the two of them are incomparable, only because she sees Belen as a ‘one of a kind’ star.
“You really can’t compare (me and Bella). She’s one of a kind,” Valdez told SPIN.ph.
“She’s perfect talaga from passing to defense to blocking to spiking and as a leader. She’s very effective in all aspects.”
Such high praise from one of the sport’s all-time greats has humbled Belen, who on the contrary, thinks she has a long way to go before even clearing the bar of expectations.
“Mataas na compliment for me kasi coming from ate Alyssa Valdez na po and siguro hindi po ako ‘yung parang sinasabi niya na 'perfect player.' Nakikita ko na may kailangan pa akong i-improve as a player and as a person,” said Belen.
Birds of a feather
This mutual admiration between two UAAP icons isn’t just a matter of singing praises from afar.
Both hailing from Meneses-led squads, let alone being the two current team captains, Belen shared how Valdez would occasionally join National U training sessions to impart her championship-caliber wisdom onto Jhocson’s young wards.
“Malaking bagay lang po siya na na-appreciate ka ng ibang tao lalo na si ate Aly kasi minsan, nakakasabay namin siya sa training namin. ‘Pag walang training ‘yung Creamline, sumasabay siya sa training namin,” Belen said.
“Marami pa rin kaming nakukuhang knowledge sa kanya kasi minsan nagshe-share siya sa’min ng kung ano ‘yung insights niya, nagfe-feedback siya sa’min.
‘Malaking tulong na coach namin si coach Sherwin kasi nakakasabay namin ‘yung mga ganung players.”
The most valuable piece of advice Valdez has for Belen?
Keep her fire and her love of the game alight.
“I wish her well this last year sa UAAP and I wish her all the best talaga. Keep working hard and keep that passion (for volleyball) burning talaga.” Valdez said.
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