There's a different kind of inspiration and motivation for Alyssa in teaming up with BDL.
When the Creamline Cool Smashers picked up the services of former Choco Mucho Flying Titan Bea de Leon, Alyssa Valdez could not keep a tight rein on her excitement as she reunites with a teammate from her collegiate days.
"I was very excited na when they announced that Bea would be part of the Creamline Cool Smashers," the decorated outside hitter gushed.
She was present during Creamline and Choco Mucho’s partnership signing with sponsor Allianz PNB Life Insurance, Inc. on Thursday.
"Why? Because I think there are a lot of memories and mga firsts din namin during our Ateneo days."
Valdez shared how nostalgic it was to get back to training with de Leon and Dennise Lazaro-Revilla, now in pink shirts with Creamline.
"Definitely, it's nice siguro to finish hard practices with them again," she said in a separate interview with One Sports after training.
"Nakakasama mo sila nung college, sobrang pare-parehas kaming namamatay sa practice. Ngayong mga first few weeks, ganun din. We're having a hard time, challenging pa rin. Nakikita namin 'yung isa't isa, nagsa-struggle and nacha-challenge pa rin," Valdez observed.
"Natatawa na rin kami. It's a different kind of inspiration now and motivation. Asaran na 'yung dating sa amin," she recounted.
Both Valdez and De Leon served as prominent figures in Ateneo's title conquests in the 2010s.
They each have a pair of UAAP titles under their belts, but there was only one championship that they captured together--and it happened almost nine years ago.
Back in Season 77, a wide-eyed De Leon entered as a freshman in Ateneo, which had just captured its first UAAP women's volleyball title a season prior. Despite being a rookie, she earned a starting position, playing big minutes alongside Valdez.
The Lady Eagles cruised to a historical 16-0 sweep to clinch their second consecutive championship.
The two would then steer the Lady Eagles close to a three-peat in Season 78, only to falter over arch-rival La Salle in the Finals. Valdez left the collegiate circuit soon after, marking the end of their time as Ateneo teammates.
With such history between them, Valdez believes that De Leon serves as a welcome addition to Creamline's championship culture.
She also recalled a lot about BDL's mannerisms.
"It's funny, I missed siguro Bea's reaction. Maybe makaka-point siya or 'pag nagkaka-error siya, it's genuine. You want a teammate like that," she said after training.
"Na-mo-motivate din kami dahil sa ganung reaction."
"I can't wait na mangyari at makita sa games and practices at siguro asarin siya," Valdez said, laughing.
However, Valdez also acknowledged that the 5-foot-11 middle blocker still needs to regain her footing.
De Leon had played a limited role for Choco Mucho in the Second All-Filipino Conference, spending most of her time on the bench as Maddie Madayag and Cherry Nunag manned the frontlines.
[READ MORE: PVL | Bea De Leon bares heart in move to Creamline: ‘I feel like I need to grow again’]
Be that as it may, Valdez is hopeful that Creamline, which parted ways with Ced Domingo, can provide De Leon the opportunity to thrive once more.
"Bea will be a great help in our team," Valdez said on Thursday, as De Leon beefs up Creamline's middle blocker rotation with Jeannette Panaga and Risa Sato.
She added: "We're just really looking forward na talagang mag-shine and makuha niya ulit 'yung game niya in the team."