“Walang PH volleyball film na walang PHENOM.”
A Filipino volleyball flick wouldn’t be complete without the special participation of the one and only Alyssa Valdez. That is according to award-winning filmmaker Antoinette Jadaone. It’s safe to say that that majority of the population will agree with that opinion. On her Twitter, the critically-acclaimed director thanked the GOAT for her work on the set of “Rookie”—a 2023 Cinemalaya film about a 6-foot high schooler who’s forced to play volleyball in a Catholic school without a basketball program.
Based on the post, it appears that the captain of the Philippine Women’s National Volleyball Team even took time off the Holy Week just to take part in the film.
“Rookie" is directed by LGBTQ+ advocate Samantha Lee, and was written by Antoinette’s sister, Natts Jadaone.
Just like her comeback on the court, her fans will intensely wait to see her on the big screen. But in the meantime, Valdez is still working hard behind the scenes as she recovers from the knee injury that she suffered late last year. Being assigned leader of the national squad, however, brings hope that she’ll be ready to play this May for the 32nd edition of the Southeast Asian Games.
Joining her in the Philippine squad are six of her Creamline Cool Smashers teammates who won the 2023 PVL All-Filipino Conference title, namely, Jia De Guzman, Tots Carlos, who's also a part of the ”Rookie” cast, Ced Domingo, Michele Gumabao, Jema Galanza, and Kyla Atienza.