Valdez to banner Creamline PVL debut

MANILA, Philippines - Alyssa Valdez will play for newcomer Creamline Cool Smashers when the Philippine V-League, formerly Shakey’s V-League, kicks off its 2017 season with the Reinforced Conference in mid-April.

Ricky Palou made the confirmation yesterday, after Creamline, a team owned by Ateneo corporate backer Rebisco, held a simple gathering with Valdez and the rest of the team members in Manila.

“The Creamline Cool Smashers will be one of our new teams in the PVL and Alyssa (Valdez) will play for them,” said Palou, president of the organizing Sports Vision.

Valdez, the first Filipina to play as an import in a foreign league, is on a four-day break to officially join the Cool Smashers in their presentation. She will return to Thailand to join her Thai League team 3BB Nakornnont.

Joining Valdez in the Creamline squad are former Ateneo teammate Aerieal Patnongon, Perpetual Help’s Coleen Bravo and Jamela Suyat, State U’s Joyce Palad, San Beda’s Francesca Racraquin, Adamson’s Pau Soriano and Janet Serafica and the comebacking Ivy Remulla of La Salle.

More players and foreign recruits will be named in the coming weeks in time for the opener.

Thai Tai Bundit, who handles the Ateneo women’s squad in the UAAP, has been appointed as head coach with Ateneo men’s mentor Oliver Almandro as one of his assistants.

Sherwin Malonzo is the team manager.