MANILA — Creamline turned to veteran Alyssa Valdez on Tuesday night to avoid elimination in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference.
Valdez, 32, continued to turn back the hands of time, proving that she has a lot left in the tank as she towed the Cool Smashers to a 25-23, 25-20, 16-25, 25-16 play-in victory over Akari to secure the last semifinals spot.
Drawing from her wealth of experience, Valdez credited her “puso” and all-out mentality to help Creamline stay in contention.
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"Halos every game kasi do or die ata yung game so siguro mentality ko coming into every match is to give my all talaga. There's nothing to lose na e. Basta ibigay mo yung, I think yun yung nasa isip ko. If ibigay mo lahat, wala kang ititira, may reward yun. Kung ano man yung reward na yun, sa dulo ko pa malalaman," said Valdez.
"So, gano'n lang yung mentality. Kung ipapasok, gagawin lang yung trabaho and ibibigay buong puso," she went on.
The Ateneo de Manila University legend was beaming with pride as her teammates delivered, from practices to the game itself, with everyone embracing their roles.
"I'm very, very happy and proud sa lahat ng teammates ko, hindi lang dito sa game na 'to, but during practices, talagang binibigay na namin lahat para ready and prepared kami for today's game," said Valdez.
"So, 'yon nakaka-proud, everyone stepped up and actually for me, one thing na nakaka-proud, talagang in-accept namin lahat kung ano 'yung trabaho, roles na ibibigay sa 'min para pagdating ngayon, handang-handa lahat."
Valdez poured in a game-high 20 points while working on the Creamline defense as well with 19 excellent digs and eight excellent receptions.