Despite all her achievements, Alyssa Valdez still holds on to one unfinished dream, specifically for the national team.
One point away.
Alyssa Valdez has achieved nearly everything—if not everything—in Philippine volleyball.
From multiple championships, MVP titles, and a decorated career spanning both the collegiate and professional ranks, Valdez has seemingly done it all—except for one thing.
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When asked about something she wishes she had accomplished in her illustrious career, the Creamline Cool Smashers superstar admitted she still holds one “what if” close to her heart.
The 31-year-old spiker was a long-time member of the Philippine women's national volleyball team, now known as Alas Pilipinas. However, she admits that one of her biggest aspirations was to bring true glory to the country through volleyball.
“Medyo malabo na, pero I think one of the things na I wanted talaga ever since was to give some honor to the national team, to our country,” Valdez shared to Gretchen Ho on One News’ Morning Matters. “But unfortunately, I mean like medyo hindi na tayo nandun sa age na 'yun, so 'yun 'yung isa sa mga things na I really wanted to achieve also for the country and for the sport.”
Valdez has played in numerous Southeast Asian Games (SEA) and Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) tournaments, yet she still thinks about the elusive medal or a breakthrough for Philippine volleyball on the world stage.
The closest Valdez and the national team came to securing a medal was back in the 2019 SEA Games where the Philippines fell short to Indonesia in a five-set thriller.
In fact, the Philippines was just a point away from the bronze before Indonesia went on to win 16-14.
This was also the case in 2021 and 2023 when the Philippines would fall to Indonesia in four sets in the bronze medal match.
Though her personal "what if" remains, Valdez takes pride in seeing the new generation of Filipino volleyball players rise to the occasion. She acknowledges how today’s young athletes are better equipped than ever before
“If I were to compare, the younger generations are like tall, the skills 10/10, experiences also meron sila, and just they have all the access to everything—good health, nutrition, they have all these games na puwede nilang mapanood, mapag-aralan,” she said. “Hindi ako magugulat kung like 5-10 years from now, aangat talaga 'yung volleyball.”
From being a wide-eyed rookie at Ateneo de Manila University to becoming the face of Philippine volleyball, Valdez has witnessed the sport's evolution firsthand.
She believes that the next wave of players has what it takes to elevate the Philippines on the international stage.
As someone who has also experienced both the triumphs and struggles of Philippine volleyball, Valdez now knows what it takes to make the national team more competitive. She highlights two crucial aspects: exposure and grassroots development.
“Exposure talaga. I think the national team has been doing it right now, playing against stronger teams, going around the country para mas madami pa sila matutunan,” she noted. “Grassroots program, definitely, kasi kailangan natin 'yan. Siguro dalawa din 'yung kailangan talaga natin to make it work. We have to be consistent. We have to sustain, maintain training schedules.”
Beyond training and competition, the three-time PVL MVP stresses the need for unity within the volleyball community.
“If we can fix all the scheduling, I think mataas 'yung chance na makakapag-gel together,” Valdez explained. “Most especially, I wanna say na we have to have effective communication across the community kasi if not, hindi rin eh. Mahihirapan 'pag may mga misunderstandings kasi dun tayo biglang titigil.”
Valdez’s biggest "what if" may remain unanswered, but through her contributions to the game and her unwavering passion, Philippine volleyball has grown to what it is now—brighter than ever.