Alyssa Valdez lives up to reputation as face of PH volleyball

MANILA, Philippines – The undisputed face of Philippine volleyball is still Alyssa Valdez. On Wednesday night, she showed why.

Needing to step up with four of their starters out due to mysterious reasons, Valdez carried most of the load as she unleashed a league-best 39 points to power Customs to a 18-25, 27-25, 21-25, 25-21, 15-9 win over Laoag to seize a share of the lead with Santo Tomas in the Shakey's V-League Season 13-Reinforced Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

It was a performance to remember by Valdez as her effort erased Thai Sontaya Keawbundit’s 38 points in an Ateneo game against Lyceum in the battle for third six seasons ago. Another Thai, Lithawat Kesinee, erupted for 37 nine years back.

She also became the highest scoring local player as she shattered the 37-hit performance by former Adamson captain Angela Benting eight years back.

"The whole team is happy because we knew we gave it all and we did it not just for ourselves but also for our imports and our teammates who were not able to play today (Wednesday)," said Valdez.

The win catapulted the Transformers to the lead alongside the overachieving Santo Tomas Tigresses on two wins apiece.

Valdez's memorable effort came on a day that their Thai reinforcements, Kanjana Kuthaisong and Nattanicha Jaisen, were sat out because the access codes that would have granted them the required International Transfer Certificates were curiously changed.

Interestingly, Pocari Sweat's Americans Bre Mackie and Andrea Kacsits and imports in the other league got their papers processed without facing problems.

Customs also played minus Navywomen Pau Soriano and Lillet Mabbayad due to undisclosed reasons.

The development came after the two were banned from the PSL for one year and slapped P50,000 fines for their alleged contract violations.

Despite it, the two suited up for Customs in a 25-23, 25-18, 25-22 win over State U Monday as the duo combined for 18 points.

It was not yet known if some people are harassing Soriano and Mabbayad to prevent them from playing for Customs.

Good thing there was Valdez.