Alyssa Valdez thrilled for Creamline teammates to represent Philippines in AVC Cup
MANILA, Philippines — Alyssa Valdezz will once again be donning the national team colors in the upcoming 2022 Asian Women's Volleyball Cup (AVC Cup), this time with her teammates from the Creamline Cool Smashers.
After ruling the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Inivitational Conference last weekend, the Cool Smashers agreed to represent the country in the Asian tiff set to begin on August 21.
Though already a mainstay in the national team program, Valdez expressed her excitement in getting to compete again — especially for her fellow Cool Smashers who have yet to play for the country.
"I’m very excited lalo na for everyone lalo na sa team namin kasi not all we’re exposed or parang nabigyan ng opportunity to play for the national team," Valdez told media last Sunday.
"And now we’re given this opportunity as a team, as a club team, and we’re really glad na tanggapin yun and we’ll really try to maximize everything and learn from it as a team also and as an individual," she added.
Creamline stepped up to the challenge of representing the Philippines after the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) dropped the National University-laden pool set to compete initially.
NU were released by the PNVF after they begged off from competing in the PVL where the recently crowned UAAP champions were supposed to be a guest team.
Valdez admitted that there was a short preparation time with the games set to unfurl just a week after their pro competition wrapped up.
But she said that she and her fellow wards were going to put their best foot forward.
"We’re looking forward. We’re very limited kasi e, yung preparation hindi rin kami masyadong nasabihan agad-agad but we’re just gonna give our best and hopefully all the Filipinos, all the volleyball supporters will be there to support us and welcome all the other teams," said Valdez.
Valdez' teammates, PVL league MVP Tots Carlos and Finals MVP Celine Domingo, also shared their thoughts on competing in the AVC.
"We’re really happy. Ayun nga, same with ate Ly na not all are given the chance to represent or to be in the national team. We’re glad din na buong team yung dadalhin namin and we’ll really give our best na mabigyan ng magandang laro yung every team and we’re really excited talaga na mag-laro din," said Carlos.
"Super happy. Under-21 or 23 so it’s been a long time sa Thailand," Domingo said of her last stint with the national team.
"Personally, sobrang happy na I get to represent the country again and ayun. Talagang gagawin namin lahat to raise the flag of the Philippines," she added.
The Philippines opens its campaign in the AVC Cup at 7 p.m. on Sunday, August 21, against Vietnam at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Also on the schedule for the Philippines are China, Iran and South Korea.
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