ANTIPOLO CITY—The moment Creamline fans had been waiting for finally arrived as Alyssa Valdez, the Cool Smashers’ iconic team captain, made her triumphant return to the court on Saturday evening.
After missing two conferences due to a nagging injury, Valdez reintroduced herself to the volleyball world, helping her team secure a commanding straight-sets victory against Petro Gazz, 25-19, 25-22, 25-16, in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Ynares Center here.
Though she played off the bench, the three-time PVL MVP still left a mark, contributing four points. Valdez was instrumental in Creamline’s dominant 14-3 run in the third set, which effectively neutralized Brooke Van Sickle and the rest of the Angels.
For Valdez, simply being back on the court felt like a win. “You know, honestly, it’s just so nice to be able to feel that I am able to jump again, to spike again, to help again,” she shared, her voice tinged with both relief and joy. “So if you’re going to ask me how far... I think right now I just wanna celebrate what I have right now, in the present.”
Valdez has adopted a new mindset after enduring a grueling four-month recovery process. “I wanna stay in the present, that’s one thing that I’ve learned also,” she said. “Present, and celebrate small wins, stay in the present, just be glad and grateful for everything that is happening right now. Hopefully, mas ma-enjoy ko pa at mas makatulong sa team at sana makabalik ako sa 100 percent.”
The Ateneo alumna admitted that her time away from the sport gave her a fresh perspective. “To be honest, it wasn’t easy. It’s hot and cold—may mga days na okay, may mga days na hindi talaga. It’s part of the process talaga,” Valdez said, reflecting on the ups and downs of her recovery journey.
“Mas doon tumitibay yung loob, yung katawan. Dun talaga nare-reinvent ko yung sarili ko, so I guess why, I saw volleyball in a different perspective. That’s why I am glad to be back.”
Valdez also found motivation in the resilience of her teammates, who stepped up in her absence. Watching them fight through adversity inspired her to return stronger.
“Being on the sideline for the two conferences, I just saw how talented and amazing my teammates are. That’s one thing for sure. How they want to play volleyball in such a way na nagtutulungan talaga sila,” Valdez said with pride. “I realized that I just have to actually enjoy the sport again, be back, and be happier than ever. Hopefully, ‘yun din yung energy na maitulong ko sa kanila.”
While her return brought excitement, Valdez remains focused on staying healthy and avoiding further setbacks. She is sticking to a disciplined regimen that combines serious training and diligent therapy.
“Kondisyon at makabalik sa paglalaro talaga, so I think yung regimen ko from before until now, hindi talaga siya magbabago,” she said. “I’ll take my training more seriously and my therapy seriously, religiously din talaga kasi it’s been working.”
Valdez also credits the team’s collective effort in maintaining top form. “We know we’re a veteran team as well, so kami nagsheshare kami sa bawat isa, kung ano makakatulong sa isa’t isa. Maybe, just a simple vitamins, or kung ano yung recovery na ginagawa nila, yung mga maliliit na bagay makakatulong talaga sa amin in the long run.”
For Valdez, this moment wasn’t just about playing volleyball again—it was about embracing the journey, challenges, and victories, both big and small. “Motivation talaga would be to enjoy volleyball again. At the end of the day, we enjoy it more than ever, mas iba yung mabibigay na saya,” she said.
As Creamline continues its campaign, Valdez’s return is more than a comeback; it’s a testament to her resilience, love for the game, and desire to inspire her team to greater heights.
