Denis Santos
After a wave of issues that plagued the Queen Eagle herself, Alyssa Valdez finally takes the last slot in the 18-member pool of the National Women’s Volleyball Team.
Valdez In!
Missing out a number of training sessions, even skipping the high-bearing Clash of Heroes, Coach Francis Vicente still puts his trust on the former Ateneo skipper.
According to Vicente, even though Valdez did not manage to play for the said fundraising game, she instantly reconnected with him and it ‘meant a lot’.
When asked about her addition to the team, Alyssa humbly answered,
“I feel very blessed. Maraming nangyari… but still, we’re thankful na nasama rin tayo.”
Coach Vicente also had this to say about the ‘last-minute addition’ of Valdez,
‘I think ang napag-usapan lang namin ni Sir Vince ay constant communication that is needed para mas maganda ang flow ng pag-organize ng lahat.”
Coach Vicente and Alyssa’s history
Years ago, when Valdez is still playing for UST High School, Vicente was her recruiter and coach.
The now Creamline ace spiker, Valdez said in a statement, “I think both parties are trying to compromise para mas magkasama-sama ang lahat, para makapag-prepare tayo sa SEA Games.”
Despite the whole commotion, Valdez knows that it is not final yet and there are still screenings left, she has to earn her spot the hard way. The final roster will be 12 players, and the team will represent the country in the 29th Southeast Asian Games in August.
Making to the national team pool also are: Jaja Santiago, Mika Reyes, Rachel Anne Daquis, Abigail Maraño, Dawn Macandili, Kim Fajardo, Lourdes Clemente, Dennise Lazaro, Jen Casugod, Maika Ortiz, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Frances Molina, Kath Arado, Ria Meneses, Rhea Dimaculangan, and the controversial Roselle Baliton
