Alyssa Valdez welcomes the new and youthful Philippine Women’s National Volleyball Team with open arms.
The national team is entering a new era filled with 14 young players with one even still in the high school stage.
National University’s core composed the team with UAAP Season 84 Rookie MVP Mhicaela Belen, Ivy Lacsina, Cess Robles, Sheena Toring, Jen Nierva, Alyssa Solomon, Camilla Lamina, Kamille Cal, Joyme Cagande, Nicole Mata, Shaira Jardio, and Evangeline Alinsug.
Jelai Gajero of California Precision Sports was the high school player while Trisha Genesis of Akari rounded out the squad.
“The future is bright talaga.
“Kasi in the UAAP they’ve shown that they’re very talented talaga. Not even potential, nandoon na talaga eh,” said Valdez after Creamline’s come-from-behind 22-25, 25-27, 25-21, 25-19, 15-12 win over PLDT in the Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference semifinals.
The Cool Smashers will be the first to meet the national team in the ongoing semis as they replaced Kobe Shinwa Women’s University of Japan which had one of its members testing positive for COVID-19 before their flight to the Philippines.
Creamline will battle the Nationals on Monday, 5:30 pm, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Photo from SMM
“We’re very happy na we’re witnessing this also and hopefully may maibigay din tayong tulong sa kanila lalo yung mga ganitong experiences kapag kailangan nila ng ganitong games,” added Valdez, a multi-time national team player.
“We’re always willing to help.”
Asked about who is she excited to face, Valdez didn’t choose a specific player, noting how more dangerous they are as a unit.
The Lady Bulldogs members all came from the high school program of NU-Nazareth.
“Honestly, lahat kasi well… talented talaga. All around players kasi silang lahat saka when you look at them, as a team talaga sila makikita mo eh,” said the multiple-time PVL MVP.
“Magaling sila individually pero as a team unbreakable. Solid talaga sila as a team.”
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