ILOCOS NORTE -- Creamline star Alyssa Valdez made sure to leave it all on the line for the Cool Smashers in the Game One of the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference finals.
After a masterful performance that saw them take a 2-0 advantage, Creamline seemed lost in the ensuing sets -- surrendering the next two which sent the game to a deciding fifth set.
And Valdez made sure to rise to the occasion.
"One thing na ang sarap sa pakiramdam e yung makalaro ulit sa finals. Siguro ang tagal din nating nawala, sa volleyball and yung feeling na yun naramdaman ulit namin," expressed Valzed after the Game One win over Chery Tiggo on Wednesday.
"Ang inisip ko lang talaga is I really want to help my team, Creamline, and yun kahit papaano nakakatulong din naman so yun lang as in really thinking yung mindset talaga namin is kahit anong puntos 'yan we have to celebrate. Yun lang, ginawa talaga naming one step at a time today," she added.
Valdez took matters into his own hands, firing four points in the clincher including a game-saving combination play that ended the match at 25-15, 25-21, 18-25, 19-25, 15-7. She ended up with 21 points.
"I think at the end of the day may kumpyansa rin kami na lahat nang nilaro naming five sets kahit papaano nanalo pa rin kami and yun yung isa sa mga siguro binring namin during the fifth set," shared Valdez, as Creamline now won five five-setters in the tournament.
"Other than that, one thing na sinabi sa amin ni coach Tai, zero-zero parang new set talaga, parang masta-start pa lang yung game and lahat ng energy binigay talaga namin during the fifth set," she added.
Now a win away from securing the first professional title in Philippine volleyball, Valdez and the Cool Smashers look to lean on head coach Tai Bundit's 'happy, happy' mantra towards the end. (DJ)
