Amidst the deafening cheers and the thundering spikes, Alyssa Valdez once again etched her name into the annals of volleyball greatness.
Her journey with the Creamline Cool Smashers culminated in yet another triumphant moment, as they clinched the coveted title in the Finals of the 2024 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference, besting the formidable Choco Mucho Flying Titans.
For Valdez, this victory marks her eighth championship with the Cool Smashers, a testament to her unwavering dedication and unparalleled skill since the team's inception in 2017.
Reflecting on the arduous path to glory, Valdez confessed that this triumph was perhaps the most challenging of them all.
“Siguro, based on our standings, probably this was the hardest, most challenging, and unpredictable [conference] for the Creamline Cool Smashers," she revealed, her voice resonating with both exhaustion and pride.
The Cool Smashers' journey was riddled with setbacks, their resolve tested by defeats and uncertainties.
Creamline's path to the championship was laden with obstacles from the outset.
A series of losses during the eliminations threatened to derail their campaign, casting doubts on their ability to advance. Yet, buoyed by resilience and unity, they persevered.
“Talagang nilaban namin, and I think one thing na na-prove sa amin ng mga challenges namin is that kami rin talaga yung magtutulungan sa dulo," Valdez remarked, her eyes reflecting the fire that fueled their determination.
The semifinals brought further challenges as they clashed with the Choco Mucho Flying Titans, their longtime rivals.
In a heart-stopping encounter, the Cool Smashers suffered a setback, their first-ever defeat against the Flying Titans. But even in defeat, they found solace in their unwavering bond.
“But I guess this is also the season that we proved to our team, to ourselves, to the coaches, and the whole management that our family will stay and stick together despite everything,” Valdez declared, her words resonating with conviction.
As the dust settled and the final whistle blew, it was the Cool Smashers who emerged victorious, their resilience shining brighter than ever. In the moments of celebration that followed, Valdez took a moment to express her gratitude to every member of the team.
“We thank everyone. I’ll take this opportunity to thank every single person in our team from our coaching staff, from our utility, from our physical therapists, from our conditioning coaches, and all the players, whether lined up or not,” she acknowledged, her voice filled with heartfelt appreciation.
"We have our values; we’re worth it. Everyone is very important in this team."
