SPECIAL FEATURE: Alyssa Valdez, Philippine volleyball's most unlikely superstar

Entering her fourth playing year for the Ateneo Lady Eagles, Alyssa Valdez has emerged as one of the most decorated and popular players in Philippine volleyball. With deadly spikes, charming smile, and "heartstrong" spirit, she has earned a huge following both at the games and online.

 

But while "Alyssanity" rules the college volleyball scene, the reigning UAAP Most Valuable Player is the first to admit that her emergence as a superstar in the sport comes as a surprise even to her.

 

"Hindi ko alam kung bakit ako naging volleyball player," Valdez said. A natural athlete at 5-foot-9, she started playing with two of her brothers when she was in grade school.

 

But even after she started playing, she barely knew anything beyond the basic rules of the game.

 

"'Yun 'yung sobrang ironic na volleyball player ako, pero wala akong masyadong alam sa volleyball."

 

In fact, it was only after she became a varsity volleyball player for Ateneo that she took interest in international competitions such as the Olympics and the Grand Prix.

 

Her fans ought to thank her coaches who saw her natural gifts, and stuck with her despite her seeming lack of interest in the sport.

 

"Nung elementary, may mga coaches ako na nagtiyaga talaga sa akin, kahit parang malabo talaga akong maging [volleyball player]," she said. "Dun mo makukuha 'yung confidence mo to play volleyball eh."

 

Even today, Alyssa seems only half-aware of her accomplishments on the volleyball court. When asked how many MVP awards she has won in her career, she had to take a moment, hold up her hand, and count with her fingers before answering.

 

"Hindi ko alam eh. It's the championship trophy naman [that is] the most important talaga, not the individual awards, for me," said Alyssa, who is quick to deflect credit to her teammates.

 

"Nagagawa ko siya kasi nag-re-receive 'yung teammate ko, sine-set-an ako ng teammate ko. Kung wala naman sila hindi ko naman magagawa 'yun e," she said.

 

 

"Kaya sobrang love ko ang isang team sport eh. Pag naka-point ka, 'yung point na 'yun, natulong mo sa team."

 

DESPITE HER MODESTY, Alyssa has an extensive — and still growing — trophy collection, both for individual and collective achievements. She won three championships and two MVP trophies in high school while at University of Santo Tomas, before leading Ateneo to the school's first ever title in UAAP volleyball last season.

 

And she's still getting better. Just recently, Alyssa was at the forefront of the Lady Eagles' gallant stand in the Shakey's V-League Open Conference. Playing against veteran clubs, Ateneo managed to sweep all of its games in the quarterfinals before succumbing to Air Force in a do-or-die match for the last semis seat.

 

It was Alyssa who led the way, putting up a monster 32-point game against National University and 28 points against seasoned powerhouse Army. 

 

Even in the knockout loss against Air Force, she still wound up with "just" 18 points in three sets, despite reportedly playing through the flu.

 

"There’s no such thing as bad days. May times lang talaga na siguro may moments na na-fu-frustrate ka kasi hindi mo nagagawa ‘yung normally na nagagawa mo," she said.

 

Alyssa's sweet, adorable demeanor masks her fiery competitiveness, which is part of why she has been successful in her career.

 

"Ayoko lang talaga na sasabihin ko sa sarili ko na, 'Ah off, normal lang 'yun.' Kasi pag sinabi mo parang nagiging kuntento ka."

 

Her success has turned into one of the most popular players in college sports, and Alyssa is grateful for her fans' support. She makes a special effort, through little things, to let her fans know that she appreciates the time they take to cheer for her and her team.

 

"We tweet, we post pictures on Instagram and siguro if given the chance and time, after the game, sign ‘yung mga shirts, take pictures with them," she said.

 

"Siguro as of now, 'yun pa lang 'yung kaya naming ibigay para sa kanila."

 

 

WHILE STILL A COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL STAR, Alyssa is already looking beyond the UAAP.

 

She got a taste of senior-level international competition when she was selected to the Philippine team for the FIVB Asian Southeastern Zone Qualifiers in Vietnam last year, the lone Ateneo selection to the squad. The team lost in straight sets to Vietnam and Indonesia, but managed to defeat Myanmar before bowing out of the competition.

 

That experience has made her conscious of how much more the local volleyball scene needs to develop for the Philippines to be competitive internationally.

 

"We need to let other people see na kailangan pa naming mag-push para maging mas better 'yung volleyball program natin, 'yung volleyball community," she said.

 

The current upswing of interest in the sport is a good start, and Alyssa hopes that kids who watch them will be inspired to begin volleyball training at a young age so that it could reach the same heights as basketball.

 

"I hope — I believe — na in the near future talaga, hindi malayo na maging top team tayo," she said. 

 

Alyssa will be at the forefront of that charge by excelling in the sport that she originally wasn't interested in, but has since grown passionate about.

 

"We're just here to play volleyball that we love." — JST, GMA News