A fit and healthy Alyssa Valdez looks forward to competitive action when defending champion Creamline tests the mettle of foreign guest teams in the Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference semifinal.
Regaining her old form six months after sustaining a knee injury, Valdez has been contributing significant production for the star-studded squad, which swept all its four outings in Pool A.
Already through to the next round, unbeaten Cool Smashers are just patiently waiting for the three other local teams who will advance to the semifinals, where they will be joined by Kurashiki Ablaze of Japan and Kinh Bac-Bac Ninh of Vietnam.
“I’m really looking forward to really high-quality volleyball games in the semis, most especially that teams in the other pool are playing great,” the 30-year-old former Most Valuable Player said.
The last semis ticket in Pool A and the two semis spots in Pool B are currently being disputed at press time.
“We can expect intense competition and for sure the games will be more entertaining and it’s anybody’s ball game,” Valdez added.
Valdez averaged 7.5 points per game despite playing under controlled minutes. Her contribution to the floor defense also helped Creamline remain unscathed.
The former Ateneo de Manila University star played a full game in the Cool Smashers’ 25-19, 24-26, 26-24, 25-19, win over Akari last Saturday. She started in all four sets to finish with 12 points and nine digs.
“I feel really happy since it’s been a while since I played full games,” Valdez said.
Valdez sustained a right knee injury in the PVL Reinforced Conference battle for bronze back in December.
She underwent a procedure in February before participating in her fifth straight Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia last May.
“I still have a lot to improve on and learn heading to very crucial matches in the semifinals. More than the skills, it’s the condition, if I will always last until the last set. Because after seven months, I have played just a couple of full games,” she said.
Creamline begins its semis campaign on Thursday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
