In many ways, Alyssa Valdez has been the perfect ambassador for Philippine volleyball, both on and off the court. It's a responsibility the Creamline star does not take lightly.
There’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that when you talk about Philippine volleyball, the name of Alyssa Valdez would be the first one to pop up.
For many years, through her remarkable play and by generally just being a good human being, Valdez has proven why she is the role model for many aspiring volleyball athletes on and off the court.
As she makes her highly-anticipated return to the Creamline Cool Smashers in the new PVL season, all eyes will once again be glued to Ate Ly as she sets out to showcase why she’s one of the best—perhaps even the greatest.
In another edition of Off the Record, Valdez gets honest about being widely recognized as the “face of Philippine volleyball,” reflecting on how the sport has grown locally over the years.
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One Sports: What are your thoughts on being crowned that title at such an early stage of your career?
Alyssa: Until now, it’s been a while na kayo nasasabi niyo ‘yun sakin but honestly, it’s really a big responsibility. Siguro sa self ko rin parang I’d say it’s a responsibility in a way na para maging consistent ako sa performances ko. Hindi lang siya actually on the court din, but off the court as well to be a role model.
I’m blessed to be surrounded by good people, great athletes na namo-motivate ako and na-inspire ako to be someone na kung sino lang ako. Honestly, not feeling din na may ganun siyang kalaking impact kasi lahat ng mga kasama ko, all the time, nire-remind ako to stay humble also, to be on my feet and work harder every single day.
(Throughout her decorated career, Alyssa Valdez has represented Philippine volleyball as best as she could)
Kaya din siguro nagtutuloy-tuloy ‘yung competitiveness and patuloy din hopefully ‘yung pagi-improve and ‘yung gusto natin ma-improve ‘yung sports because of the people around us.
Hindi talaga, I mean everyone really deserves to be called like that kasi if not for all of us, even behind the camera, I don’t think volleyball would be here right now. So, I’m just very very glad nandito tayong lahat and hopefully mas marami pa tayong ma-inspire na kabataan.
One Sports: How proud are you to see volleyball’s growth in the Philippines over the years?
Alyssa: Very very proud talaga na alam mo ‘yung nakakatuwa na may nagmamahal din sa sport mo na ibang tao, na parang at first hindi rin nila alam ‘yung sport. It’s something we hoped for, we prayed for, and we’re dreaming na patuloy talaga na maging consistent na ganito kadami ‘yung gusto rin maglaro ng volleyball.
Nakakataba ng puso din and nakakatuwa kasi alam mo napakadaming talents right now na you would be able to see and watch in near the future.
Masaya sa community, nakakatuwa. We welcome everyone in our community and welcome na welcome kayo mas palakihin pa ‘yung volleyball community at mas gumaling pa ‘yung community.
(More than her skills, Alyssa Valdez has endeared herself to countless fans by staying true to herself)
One Sports: What are some of the lessons you learned about handling yourself on and off the court, especially when all eyes are on you?
Alyssa: I think one of the lessons I learned is just to be yourself, kasi I think identifying who you really are and identifying ‘yung gusto mo talagang magawa, hindi ka rin maliligaw kung saan ka pupunta even though there are a lot of things, mga humps and mga challenges and mga outside noise din, hindi naman natin maiiwasan ‘yun.
But if you’re true to yourself, if you’re surrounded by good people [and] good support system, sometimes medyo rocky din but at the end of the day, may hahawak din sayo and tutulungan ka to go wherever you need to be.