Graduating Alyssa Valdez emotional after leading Ateneo's miracle comeback

Alyssa Valdez missed her serve several times in Game Two of the finals against La Salle, which was out of character for the woman who had just been hailed the best server of the UAAP Season 78 women's volleyball tournament.

But it looked like her nerves at the service line were betraying her as the Ateneo Lady Eagles found themselves down two sets in the must-win game, the three-time UAAP Most Valuable Player showed no jitters once she got her game going in the air.

Valdez scored a whopping 32 points to hammer the defending champions back into the game, and eventually, the miracle comeback.

"Pag andun ka na, fifth set, kahit ano nararamdaman mo di ba, papaluin mo na lang ang bola," said the tournament's Best Scorer.

Valdez willed the Katipunan ladies to a strong finishing kick in the decider almost by herself. She was unstoppable once she was airborne; she was lethal from anywhere on the court.

A once-in-a-generation talent destined for greatness with her physical gifts, Valdez kept giving the credit back to her supporting cast and the sea of blue behind them.

"Pagkakita mo sa likod, nagchi-cheer lahat ng mga teammates mo, what can you ask for more? Wala na talaga akong mahihiling pa," she said.

"It's really heartfelt and you know 'yung team lumalaban lang so wala ka na ring [hahanapin pa] kundi lumaban lang," she added. "Kinikilabutan ka talaga kasi nakikita mo lumalaban lahat."

Valdez would be playing her last UAAP game in Saturday's Game Three, and no matter the outcome, the outside hitter simply brimmed with a sense of fulfillment for coming so far.

Ateneo was a mediocre team before Valdez joined the Lady Eagles. But with her as their heart and soul, the team has reached the finals in each of the five years she played for the team.

And for the volleyball phenom, there is no better parting gift than one last chance to be a champion in her final year and say goodbye to her college career with a victorious exit.

"God gave me another chance to defend the crown and we as a team. Ano pa hihilingin mo, dinala na kami dito?" she said. "Just give your best, just give your all. not only 100 percent but 101 percent." —JST, GMA News