Alyssa Valdez went through a lot in 2024. But now, she's slowly but surely finding the love she has for volleyball once more as she competes with the Creamline Cool Smashers in the PVL.
For years, Alyssa Valdez has been the heart and soul of Philippine volleyball.
But even superstars face battles that test not just their physical strength, but their identity as athletes.
For Valdez, that battle came in the form of a persistent knee injury that sidelined her for months, forcing The Phenom to take a step back just as the Creamline Cool Smashers was on the cusp of history.
Valdez’s injury wasn’t just a minor setback; it was a lingering issue that required medical intervention. She underwent a procedure meant to sideline her for a few weeks, but her natural instinct as a competitor got the best of her.
“I had a procedure na ginawa 'yung doctor, so I had to be out for a couple of weeks technically dapat,” Valdez admitted to Gretchen Ho on One News’ Morning Matters. “Pero siyempre, medyo pasaway talaga tayo, matigas 'yung ulo. After a couple of weeks, I wanted to play right away.”
That impatience came at a cost.
By rushing her return, Valdez unknowingly prolonged her recovery, a lesson she learned the hard way.
“Eventually, lagi lang siya nag-swell, so we had to find the reason why. So, ang tagal namin finigure out,” she shared.
This prolonged absence saw her miss Creamline’s historic Grand Slam run in the 2024 PVL season, when the team triumphed in the Reinforced and Invitational Conferences.
[ALSO READ: Creamline's Alyssa Valdez eyes return to 100% health in time for new PVL season]
Now, after months of physical and mental struggles, Valdez feels like she’s finally turning a corner.
The 31-year-old superstar had her best game yet in the Cool Smashers’ recent victory over the Galeries Tower Highrisers, finishing with 16 points, seven excellent digs, and seven excellent receptions.
“This is the time din, most especially this month, I would say na mas nakikita ko na ulit, nahahanap ko na ulit 'yung self ko in this sport,” she said. “Kasi last year, medyo dun ko talaga hinahanap 'yung sarili ko, kung sino ba ako as a volleyball player kasi malo-lost ka talaga.”
She also realized that she had been focusing too much on her injury rather than her recovery.
“Focusing on therapy, focusing on your injuries, I think 'yun 'yung mali. I'm focusing on my injury, not my recovery,” Valdez reflected. “Dun talaga ako na-lost but now, I would love to say I'm back and I just missed volleyball.”
"I’m doing the best I can para mas matagal pa akong makapaglaro. You’ll see me more often. You’ll see more of Alyssa in the next few years," she added.
[ALSO READ: Alyssa Valdez admits nerves during PVL return for Creamline, bares takeaways from knee injury recovery]
Returning to the court, Valdez found herself in a different role—one that required her to shift her mindset and embrace change. Once the team’s undisputed leader on the floor, she now had to accept a transitional phase in her career.
At times, Valdez found herself on the bench after starting matches, later taking on a cheerleading role for the Cool Smashers.
During her injury recovery, the three-time PVL MVP would be the first to give advice to her teammates at the sidelines, pointing out areas of improvement to solidify their game.
In Creamline's lone loss in the All-Filipino Conference so far against the PLDT High Speed Hitters, Valdez played in just the first two sets which many fans questioned.
But rather than resisting, she has chosen to embrace this transition, understanding that evolution is part of an athlete’s journey.
“Honestly, I think that's one thing also na nakita ko at naramdaman ko at pinaparamdam ng mga coaches ko. Not in a bad way, actually, in a good way—that acceptance of new roles in the team,” Valdez shared.
“Sabi nga namin, if hindi mo kasi ia-accept na may transitioning period ka talaga, 'yung buhay mo, 'yung pagiging atleta mo, hindi ka makaka-move forward.”
[ALSO READ: Alyssa Valdez hopes Creamline can sustain championship form amid rising competition in PVL]
With her return to the court, Valdez has become a wiser version of herself. She’s learning to listen to her body, to take her time, and to embrace every phase of her journey.
Valdez may have been lost for a while, but now, she’s slowly but surely finding her way back.
And if there’s one thing she’s proven time and time again, it’s that she never backs down from a challenge.