ALYSSA Valdez no longer has anything left to prove in Philippine volleyball.
At 32 years old, with championships, MVPs, and nearly every accolade imaginable already attached to her name, the Creamline stalwart could have easily chosen to step away from the demanding grind of national team duty for good.
But when Alas Pilipinas Women called again for the 2026 AVC Women’s Cup in Candon City, saying no was not an option for 'The Phenom.'
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Because for her, being part of the national team was never something that simply expired with time.
“Once you're part of the national team, you're always going to be part of the national team,” Valdez said. “And once you're called, part of me talaga, laging buo ‘yung puso to serve dahil alam po kung gaano naghihirap and gaano kasaya mag-represent ng bansa.”
While the buildup toward the tournament has been rocked by player withdrawals, and lingering politics surrounding the national team setup, Valdez made it clear that none of that outweighed the responsibility she still feels toward serving the country, three years since her last stint for the country in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia.
“Ang dami pa ring things na gusto kong matutunan sa mga coaches at sa mga bata na makakasama namin dito sa national team,” she said. “Kaya parang hindi rin ako nagsasawa or hindi ako nagdadalawang-isip kapag tinatawag yung national team.”
Whether it was the younger Valdez who first carried Philippine volleyball into mainstream relevance a decade ago or the comebacking veteran in 2026, the instinct to answer the national team’s call never really changed.
Only now, the role has evolved beyond simply producing points and wins.
“But at the end of the day, at this point in my career also, sabi nga ni coach, nag-mature na din kami,” Valdez said.
“Hopefully our experience will bring so much more to this team, not only in terms of playing, but also hopefully helping the coaches, guide the players, and hopefully maging inspiration din kami sa loob ng national team.”
“‘Yun ‘yung isa sa mga things na hopefully madala namin dito sa national team.”
For perhaps the first time in her national team career, Valdez enters Alas Women not necessarily as the face expected to carry everything on her shoulders.
Instead, she returns as something equally valuable: a veteran still eager to learn, still willing to serve, and still fully committed whenever the country calls.
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