When will the GOAT return?
Volleyball superstar Alyssa Valdez of the Creamline Cool Smashers is expected to miss at least the early stages of the PVL All-Filipino Conference. The new season is set to open on February 4, and Valdez is still recovering from the knee injury she suffered last December. While there has been progress, it will likely take more time before she makes a full recovery and get back to her MVP form.
Creamline’s top scorer revealed where she’s at in her road to recovery on Noli Eala’s sports program "Power and Play," and it appears she will have to take the slow and steady approach.
“Ina-assess pa rin po as of now ‘yung knee. And really taking my time para hindi rin po mamadali ‘yung ‘pag-recover and pagbalik po,” Valdez told the "Power and Play" host. “But as much as I want to really go back on court, I have to listen first to my body and, of course, to my doctors and [physical therapists] po.”
As with any other athlete who’s had to deal with a serious injury, the mental aspect of overcoming such a setback is proving to be a tough challenge for Valdez. Thankfully, she’s able to draw inspiration from her teammates.
“Mentally you also have to be strong. But I think biggest help po sa akin, I’ve been doing my therapy in front of my teammates also,” Valdez revealed. "Just because I want to also feel that energy na more than anything, more than the takot na nararamdaman ko, ‘yung excitement na gusto ko ulit makabalik at makapaglaro with them. So, ‘yun po talaga ‘yung extra motivation ko . . . ”
With that kind of determination and support system, it might be possible for the decorated outside spiker to come back sooner than expected. Pointing out that Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses has not ruled out Valdez from the entire tournament just yet, Eala asked the GOAT herself if she thinks suiting up at some point in the upcoming All-Filipino Conference is possible.
“That kind of pressure na binibigay din po sa ’kin ng team, ng sarili ko, I really want to feel that para po mayroon akong extra push. Para po kahit may takot ng kaunti, talagang gagawin po natin,” Valdez replied.
To ultimately answer Eala's question, Valdez admitted to being optimistic of a possible return.
“Hopefully, magkita-kita po tayo ngayong All-Filipino Conference.”
The Cool Smashers and their fans are certainly keeping their fingers crossed.