UE Lady Warriors' skipper Kayce Balingit expresses great admiration for Creamline standout Alyssa Valdez, finding motivation in her skill and exemplary leadership.
As the world celebrates Women's Month, inspiring stories of female athletes who empower and influence the next generation take center stage.
One such story is that of University of the East Lady Warriors' team captain Kayce Balingit, who has openly shared her admiration for volleyball superstar Alyssa Valdez.
“Ang pinaka-inspiration ko since nag-start ako ng volleyball, si Alyssa po. Sobrang humble niya and then kapag naglalaro, walang swag. Walang angas akong nakita sa kaniya,” Balingit expressed.
For many aspiring athletes, having a role model who embodies both excellence and humility is crucial.
Alyssa Valdez, known for her sportsmanship and leadership on and off the court, has influenced countless young players, including Balingit.
The way Valdez approaches the game—with grace and discipline—resonates with the UE captain, who strives to embody the same qualities.
Beyond admiration, Balingit also dreams of playing alongside Valdez one day.
“Unang-una, gusto ko muna siyang mapanood nang live kasi hindi ko pa po siya napapanood nang live since busy kami. Gusto ko rin po siyang makalaro. Gusto ko din pong mag-pro.”
Valdez, for her part, takes pride in seeing the new generation of Filipino volleyball players rise to the occasion. She acknowledges how today’s young athletes are better equipped than ever before.
“If I were to compare, the younger generations are like tall, the skills 10/10, experiences also meron sila, and just they have all the access to everything—good health, nutrition, they have all these games na puwede nilang mapanood, mapag-aralan,” she said.
“Hindi ako magugulat kung like 5-10 years from now, aangat talaga 'yung volleyball.”
From being a wide-eyed rookie at Ateneo de Manila University to becoming the face of Philippine volleyball, Valdez has witnessed the sport's evolution firsthand.
She believes that the next wave of players has what it takes to elevate the Philippines on the international stage.
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Women's Month serves as a reminder of the impact female athletes have on the sports community.
Valdez, through her career and character, has inspired many like Balingit to pursue their dreams with determination and humility. As Balingit continues her journey in volleyball, her tribute to Valdez highlights the power of role models in shaping the future of sports.