Alyssa Valdez and Creamline Cool Smashers’ will represent the Philippines in the AVC Women’s Champions League. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Alyssa Valdez is excited to represent the country anew with the Creamline Cool Smashers being one of the two Filipino clubs who will see action in the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Champions League from April 20 to 27 at Philsports Arena.
Valdez, who last played for the Philippines in the 2023 Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia, looks forward to facing the top Asian teams anew this time with her long-time club, the Cool Smashers, alongside the Petro Gazz Angels after the PVL decided to field the top two squads of the preliminaries.
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READ: Creamline, Petro Gazz to compete for PH in AVC Champions League
“We’re excited to play against champion teams from different Asian countries. But at the same time, we also have to stay focused on our campaign here in the All-Filipino Conference,” Valdez told the reporters while watching the Ateneo-Far Eastern University game in the UAAP Season 87 at Mall of Asia Arena.
It will be special return to the international stage for the 31-year-old outside spiker as she last represented the country on the home soil in the 2019 SEA Games as she missed the AVC Cup for Women 2022 in Pasig due to dengue.
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FILE–Alyssa Valdez suits up for the Philippines against Singapore in the SEA Games 2023 women’s volleyball competition.
“It’s really exciting, and it feels special to have our fellow Filipinos with us as we represent our country. It’s such an exciting time for Philippine volleyball,” Valdez said. “It’s not just this event we’re looking forward to; there are many international tournaments, especially the men’s World Championships that will also be held here. Exciting times for Philippine volleyball.”
Valdez recently bared in a TV interview that she’s hoping to play for the flag anew and she got her wish with Creamline being part of the 12-team competition including squads from Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, and South Korea.
READ: Alyssa Valdez says PH now a ‘volleyball country’
“I mentioned this a few weeks ago, and now I’ve been given another chance. I see it as a huge opportunity to showcase the things I’ve learned from my previous experiences with the national team. I’m very blessed to have this opportunity, and I hope we can represent the Philippines well and show something great,” she said.
The three-time PVL MVP said the import choice for the Asian meet will depend on management, but part of her wishlist is Erica Staunton, who led them to a historic grand slam run last year after ruling the PVL Reinforced and Invitational Conferences.
“Wow, I do have a wishlist. Honestly, I think these things are for the management and coaches to discuss, but personally, I’d say I’d love for Erica to come back to our team,” she said.
READ; PVL: First-time pro Staunton ‘lucky’ to have played for Creamline
“As a team, we trust Coach Sherwin (Meneses) and the management to pick who can help us the most. We’ll welcome them with open arms, and I’m sure they’ll make valuable contributions,” she said.
If Alas Pilipinas captain and Denso AiryBees setter Jia De Guzman would be available, Valdez hopes to reunite with her longtime teammate, too.
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“We’re really excited if those scenarios come through. We miss Jia, and we can’t wait to see her back in action, wearing the pink jersey,” Valdez said. “But we still don’t know about her commitments with her contracts outside the team and with the national team. We’re hoping and praying that our lineup for the upcoming AVC Championships will be even stronger.”
