Creamline Cool Smashers captain Alyssa Valdez expressed surprise at taking home an individual award despite her limited showing in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League Invitational.
The volleyball phenom was named the mid-season conference’s Best Outside Spiker, and Valdez dedicated the award to her Cool Smashers teammates.
“I didn’t really expect na makakakuha ako ng award,” Valdez said moments after receiving the trophy. “It was really because of my teammates, grabe support nila.”
“I think I wouldn’t be able to overcome these challenges if not for them and my coaches, so it’s really for everyone,” added the many-time PVL MVP winner.
The 30-year-old Valdez was limited to starting the PVL Invitational as she was still recovering from a knee injury, but she displayed her old, deadly form in the semifinals.
The former Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles star, however, appeared to suffer another injury during their semifinal game against Kurashiki Ablaze last Friday, which limited her during the one-game finale against the same Japanese team last Sunday.
“At the end of the day, everyone in our team really did a good job from our bench. Talagang kahit sino kasi andun na ‘yung sistema namin, so kahit sinong kuhanin sa team namin talagang mag-dedeliver,” said Valdez.
“I think the main thing that happened this conference is everyone really stepped up. Kung sinong ipasok ng coaches namin. It’s a very short tournament, so everyone was capable and able to contribute to the team,” she added.
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