Alyssa Valdez has long been a driving force in Philippine volleyball, but hearing words of support from basketball legend LA Tenorio added a new layer of validation to her sport’s rise.
The newly appointed Gilas Boys head coach was in attendance at the quarterfinals of the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference, not just as a spectator but as a passionate advocate for volleyball’s continued growth.
"Kuya LA, he's a legend in this sports community, and hearing that from him, parang... It's a testament na alam mo with the quality of sports we're having, the quality of games we're having here in volleyball, talagang mae-encourage din talaga lahat manood," Valdez shared.
Valdez repaid Tenorio’s belief with an inspired performance, leading Creamline to a commanding 25-10, 27-25, 25-21 victory over Chery Tiggo. She tallied 16 points, 13 digs, and nine receptions, propelling the Cool Smashers to a 1-0 lead in their best-of-three quarterfinal series.
Meanwhile, in a thrilling upset, ZUS Coffee stunned Petro Gazz in straight sets, 25-21, 25-23, 27-25, securing a vital opening win in their own quarterfinal matchup.
Valdez echoed Tenorio’s sentiment, emphasizing the importance of continued support for volleyball across all divisions.
"So kung nae-encourage din ang mga kapwa atleta, sana yung iba din ma-encourage manood ng women's and men's volleyball and also beach volleyball. Lahat ng volleyball," she added.
Beyond their shared love for sports, Tenorio and Valdez recently engaged in a meaningful discussion on her podcast, The Transition Playbook. They reflected on their respective careers, the evolution of their roles as leaders, and the growth of Philippine sports as a whole.
An eight-time PBA champion with Alaska and Barangay Ginebra, Tenorio now balances his playing career with his coaching duties, a transition that Valdez found deeply insightful.
"Well, it's always great and nice na we athletes support each other talaga, and if hindi pa kayo nakakapanood ng podcast, sana panoorin niyo," Valdez encouraged.
With volleyball continuing to gain traction in the country, Tenorio’s presence and advocacy serve as a powerful reminder of the unity within Philippine sports—where athletes uplift one another, regardless of the discipline.
As Creamline and ZUS Coffee push forward in their PVL campaigns, the message remains clear: the future of volleyball is brighter with the backing of the entire sporting community.
