Volleyball star Alyssa Valdez reiterated her full commitment to the national team and vowed to go all out to give honor to country.
“It’s really an honor to represent the country po talaga. As an athlete, that’s the [ultimate] dream and goal,” said Valdez, who was recently named to the national team that will compete in the Southeast Asian Games set Aug.19-30 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
From the very beginning, Valdez had already committed herself to play for the national team as she took time out from her stint in Thailand and attended a whole-day tryout in Davao City.
There was a time when her full commitment was questioned due to her absence from some activities put up by the Larong Volleyball ng Pilipinas, the national association for the sport of volleyball, but it was only due to the conflict in her schedules.
“Everyone’s really committed naman talaga. If you really love the sport, we can’t question the commitment,” she said during a meet-and-greet with their fans at Gerry’s Grill to celebrate her Creamline team’s recent third-place finish in the inaugural season of the Philippine Volleyball League.
Valdez, who was adjudged the PVL Most Valuable Player, has already attended at least three practices of the national team at the Arellano Gym and said that the focus of training is more on putting cohesiveness to the team.
“We had team plays and we’re working on the jelling and communication. Important talaga ang pag jell ng players because we all came from [different] club teams. Pero veterans and talented naman lahat players kaya it would be easier for us.”
Valdez was named to the team along with other volleyball stars Jaja Santiago and team captain Mika Reyes.
The women’s volleyball team, seeing only for the second time in the SEA Games after a long, long while, is looking for a bronze medal finish although a silver or even a gold finish is not far-fetched. Expected to crowd the top are Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam.
Other members of the national squad are Denden Lazaro, Kim Fajardo, Rhea Dimaculangan, Maika Ortiz, Gen Casugod, Aby Marano, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas and Ces Molina all made the cut.
Making it to the reserves list are De La Salle star libero Dawn Macandili and veteran Rachel Anne Daquis.
They will get the chance to gauge their performance when they compete in the AVC Asian Seniors Women’s Championship slated in Manila on Aug. 9 to 17 before heading to Malaysia.