ALYSSA Valdez represents not only Creamline Cool Smashers but the entire Philippine volleyball community. Valdez won in the recently concluded Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference in front of a record-breaking crowd.
Nearly 24,500 people watched Valdez’s Cool Smashers win their seventh franchise championship with a heart-stopping, five-set finals Game 2 over the roaring Flying Titans.
Creamline’s star player, Valdez, struggled early in Game 2. But she came through when it counted, earning five of her eight points in the fifth set, including the championship-clinching crosscourt spike.
Valdez met a different fate in the same venue in 2016 when she scored 31 points in Game 3 of the UAAP Season 78 finals against La Salle. This time, “The Phenom” made sure to end on a high note.
“I’d say I’m very grateful that I was given the opportunity to return at Araneta. It was totally a different experience back in 2016 when I was still in college at that time,” Valdez said.
The aforementioned Game 3 finals between Ateneo and La Salle drew 22,848 fans, now beaten by the Creamline-Choco Mucho finals record for the most indoor volleyball attendance.
“It was definitely a heartbreaking loss. One of those losses that I also will never forget, but I was able to replace it with a sweet memory. One of the sweetest memories that I have right now is this win at Araneta Coliseum so I’m grateful to come back and see even more fans watching,” she said.
“It’s so nice to play in that moment also, in this big stadium – with this crowd, intense game. It feels good to play. My mindset was that I’m going to lay it all out on the line for the team,” said Valdez.
It was indeed a lovely memory for The Phenom, who has been a stalwart of the Philippine volleyball scene.
