Among the biggest names in Philippine sports, Alyssa Valdez continues to use her platform to promote women’s sports — not just volleyball.
Count on Alyssa Valdez to use her platform for all the right things, including helping grow women’s sports outside of volleyball, which has been her bread and butter during her long and decorated career mainly with the Creamline Cool Smashers.
That is, no matter who is playing, or what sport they’re showcasing, when it’s women at the helm, Valdez is always there to show her support.
This past weekend, Valdez was present during Day 2 of Season 3 of the Manila Hustle 3x3 invitational, which featured teams from the Philippines and across the globe competing at the highest level of 3x3 hoops.
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There as a judge for the slam dunk contest, Valdez also relished the chance to be present for her fellow female athletes, an experience that is also abundant in her career.
“Well I love watching women in sports talaga so kahit anong sport pa yan, basta mga kababaihan who give their best and gives her all for the country, talagang andito talaga kami supporting them,” Valdez told One Sports.
It’s no secret that Valdez is one of the biggest supporters of women’s hoops, and of Manila Hustle 3x3 specifically. As the tournament entered its third year, the 4-time PVL MVP said that it was a delight to see the women succeed.
“I just really want to say thank you also kela Tita Peachy [Medina], Uratex, the whole Uratex family for doing this for Philippine basketball, for women’s basketball kasi, you know, I’ve seen this 3x3 since Day 1,” said Valdez.
“Right now, I’m just really happy and amazed kung gaano siya nare-recognize and na-appreciate ng mga kapwa ng mga Pilipino,” she added.
Of course, Valdez isn’t a stranger to support — especially playing in one of the most successful volleyball clubs in the country.
Every game day, Creamline has scores of fans supporting them, and Valdez herself has more than a handful of fan club members who regularly watch her games.
Now seeing bigger and bigger support for women’s basketball, Valdez said that she can only hope for even more backing for female athletes in other sports outside of volleyball. For her, as long as we push them in the right direction, Filipinas can succeed in anything.
“Well definitely it’s a success for the sport and I think dun natin makikita na with all the skills, with all the support, kayang-kaya talaga umangat ng kahit anong sport dito sa Pilipinas,” she said.
“We just can’t wait na mas mag-grow pa yung 3x3 and mas madaming pang mga kababaihan and nasa sports na sumuporta sa women’s sports dito sa Pilipinas.”
Valdez joined the judging panel with pro hooper Jared Dillinger, and pop culture icon Christian “BigBoy” Cheng.
Though she’s already judged the contest for two years, Valdez fell short of calling herself an expert in dunking, even as a high-flyer herself.
“I’m actually excited kasi this is my second time, pero, I’m scared din kasi siguro feeling ko basta maka-dunk sila, 10 na agad yon. Pero ayun, very very excited to watch all this guys na sasali sa slam dunk [contest],” she quipped.