Alyssa Valdez. PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Being tapped because the captain of the Philippine ladies’s volleyball group evokes Alyssa Valdez to work more durable in her restoration from a proper knee damage as she hopes to guide by instance to her teammates within the thirty second Southeast Asian Video games in Cambodia set from Could 5 to 17.
Valdez, the longest-tenured nationwide group member with 5 SEA Video games appearances, was shocked when the Philippine Nationwide Volleyball Federation introduced that she would be the squad’s skipper for the primary time.
“Actually, I didn’t anticipate it. I used to be overwhelmed by it I’m truly recovering from my damage and I feel that’s considered one of my motivations additionally to be 100% in terms of the SEA Video games due to that duty as effectively,” mentioned the Creamline star, who missed the entire Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Convention as a result of damage she sustained final December.
“You don’t wanna go there if you’re not 100% in order that’s my motivation. And truthfully, I’m glad to be not simply to be the captain, however to be a part of the nationwide group,” she added.
PH group captain Alyssa Valdez: I am truly recovering from my damage and I feel that is considered one of my motivations additionally to be a 100% pagdating sa SEA Video games due to that duty as effectively. You do not wanna go there, syempre, na hindi ka 100%. pic.twitter.com/oNl3NkzFlh
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) April 2, 2023
The three-time PVL MVP is honored to be a part of the nationwide group for the fifth consecutive SEA Video games, though a medal has been elusive for the reason that nation returned to the regional volleyball competitors final 2015 Singapore Video games when she was a flag bearer.
This time, she can be with the core of the Cool Smashers led by embellished setter Jia De Guzman, three-time MVP Tots Carlos, Ced Domingo, Michele Gumabao, and libero Kyla Atienza.
“It’s at all times an honor to symbolize our nation. I keep in mind the primary time we received to take part additionally within the SEA Video games it was in Singapore in 2015. And now it’s already my fifth time,” mentioned Valdez. “It’s a lot particular additionally now as a result of I’m with the Creamline Cool Smashers, from the Rebisco household.”
“Each time I be part of the nationwide group, the sensation is totally different, and [there’s] pleasure to play for the flag. Hopefully, this can be a memorable one,” she added.
Because the group captain, Valdez hopes to share her expertise from the previous 4 SEA Video games together with the 2018 Asian Video games with the group additionally composed of holdovers Mylene Paat, Kath Arado, Kat Tolentino, and Dell Palomata in addition to first-timers Gel Cayuna, Glaudine Troncoso, and Cherry Nunag.
“As one of many veterans to be a part of this group, hopefully, I can contribute my familiarity in terms of the SEA Video games. I hope to information them additionally, find out how to deal with all the things on and off the court docket,” she mentioned.
Valdez added that main one other new composition of the nationwide group gained’t be onerous as a result of her teammates are “leaders in their very own rights” and achievers within the PVL.
“All of them have confirmed themselves in volleyball so I don’t suppose I nonetheless should do one thing to guide them. However we’re simply actually hoping to benefit from the SEA Video games and provides our all for the nationwide group. We’re simply gonna be there representing and actually preventing for the nation,” she mentioned.
The Ateneo standout additionally relishes her second time taking part in beneath Brazilian coach Jorge Souza de Brito, who will work with Creamline’s three-time champion coach Sherwin Meneses as his assistant.
“Coach Jorge has been very vocal on what he needs and what the group wants and the character he needs to see on and off the court docket. I hope will probably be good communication, higher communication, and efficient communication so I might relay additionally that to the entire group,” mentioned Valdez.
Valdez and the nationwide group will practice in Japan in April as they attempt to attain the rostrum for the primary time for the reason that bronze end in 2005 coming off back-to-back fourth-place campaigns up to now two editions.
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