Alyssa Valdez saw limited action in Game 2 of the PVL All-Filipino Finals, but head coach Sherwin Meneses says she remains ready to contribute whenever called upon.
Alyssa Valdez again saw limited action for the Creamline Cool Smashers in Game 2 of the 2024–25 PVL All-Filipino Conference Finals.
Valdez started in the first two sets of Game 1, finishing with six points. She then came off the bench in the fourth set of Game 2, when she added a single point.
Still, the Cool Smashers found a way to take down the Petro Gazz Angels in five sets, 25-15, 16-25, 25-21, 15-25, 15-9, to force a winner-take-all Game 3.
According to head coach Sherwin Meneses, the reduced minutes for Valdez is purely based on strategy.
“Hindi mo naman masasabi sa Creamline kung sino ’yung maglalaro eh,” Meneses said during the post-game press conference.
“Talagang ’yung time, ’yung situation ngayon, para kay [Bernadeth] Pons at para kay Jema [Galanza]. Pero anytime naman, puwedeng ipasok si Ly. Maybe next game.”
[ALSO READ: Alyssa Valdez works towards peak form for Finals-bound Creamline: 'Malayo na, pero malayo pa']
With Valdez on the bench, Pons and Galanza have carried much of the offensive load so far, combining for 35 points in Game 2.
But the multi-titled coach reminded fans that rotations can change at any time—and Valdez is always ready.
“Let’s see kung sino ang maglalaro para sa championship sa Game 3,” said Meneses.
With this being the longest PVL conference yet, the Creamline squad has been pushed to its limits.
Meneses acknowledged the grind but praised his team for holding strong. Still, the goal remains the same with one game left in the extended conference.
“First time ma-experience yung ganung kahabang liga. I think [compared sa] UAAP, mas mahaba pa yung PVL. Walang naka-experience pa nito sa’tin,” said Meneses.
“Masaya kami kasi malakas pa kami. Masaya kami kasi nakaabot kami sa dulo. Hopefully, isagad na namin 'yung pagod namin. Manalo, matalo, basta igi-give namin yung best namin,” he added.
[ALSO READ: Jema Galanza vows all-out effort in Creamline’s winner-take-all Game 3 battle for PVL crown]
With the PVL crown on the line this Saturday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig, Creamline will need every ounce of effort—and possibly one more big moment from their captain.