Alyssa Valdez, who has battled the country’s top volleyball players throughout her career, named one player that she wished she had faced at some point.
Alyssa Valdez has gone toe-to-toe with some of the best volleyball players in the Philippines, both past and present.
From collegiate rivalries to intense professional battles, she has built a legacy defined by competition at the highest level.
But when asked if there was one volleyball superstar she wished she had the chance to face, the Creamline superstar had a surprising name in mind.
“Honestly, as of now, lahat ng contemporaries ko, kalaban ko pa rin sila ngayon eh,” Valdez said in an interview with Gretchen Ho on One News’ Morning Matters. “So, if I were gonna go way back, I would say [Venus] Bernal kasi I've heard she was one of the best outside hitters as well.”
Ho agreed to that sentiment, while also adding Ging Balce, Illa Santos, Michelle Carolino, and Desiree Hernandez as among those they idolized in the past.
"Idol ko talaga La Salle noon bago pumasok ng Ateneo," Ho jokingly said.
Bernal, a former UST Golden Tigress, was a force to be reckoned with in the UAAP during the mid-2000s.
Known for her powerful spikes, fearless demeanor, and clutch performances, she helped UST capture a championship and was regarded as one of the top outside hitters of her time.
Though their careers never overlapped, Valdez acknowledged Bernal’s impact on Philippine volleyball and expressed admiration for what she had achieved.
It’s not often that Valdez finds herself looking back, given that she remains at the center of the volleyball scene, competing against her longtime peers and newer generations alike in the PVL.
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Still, the Phenom that she is, Valdez made sure to acknowledge the players who paved the way before her.
On a lighter note, Valdez also playfully mentioned another name she would love to see back on the court—but not as an opponent.
“Ako, gusto ko makita si Gretch bumalik ulit sa volleyball,” Valdez laughingly said to Ho.
Once a vital member of the Lady Eagles and member of Ateneo's famed Fab 5, Ho has successfully transitioned into a career in media and broadcasting. The two shared the court during UAAP Season 75, which marked Ho’s final year in the UAAP and Valdez’s debut season as a rookie.