Alyssa Valdez in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, December 3, 2019 at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File
MANILA — Former national team captain Alyssa Valdez on Tuesday expressed her gratitude to the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) "for fighting" to have a national squad that would represent the Philippines in the 2026 AVC Women's Cup in Candon, Ilocos Sur on June 6-14.
Left scrambling to put together a team after the 2025 Alas Pilipinas core declined to wear national colors amid protests for better athlete welfare, the PNVF turned to veterans Valdez, Ces Molina, Jov Gonzaga, and the likes to lead the national team pool to defend home turf in the continental tilt.
CHECK IT OUT: Veterans Valdez, Molina, Gonzaga lead 20-woman Alas pool for AVC Women’s Cup
"To our federation (the PNVF), despite all the challenges, we're very, very grateful na patuloy pa rin ang paglaban nila para magkaroon ng national team," said Valdez as she concluded her remarks on Tuesday at the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
"Hopefully, we're all here—as mga veterans, mga bata, mga coaches, and mga former na mga naging part ng national team—to help, siguro, build a better and more, siguro, powerful PNVF," she added.
Valdez, whose renewed participation in the national team has been called into question on social media, called for unity and commitment to support the federation and the continuing Alas Women's national program.
READ: PNVF: Bundit to sit out Alas Pilipinas Women duties for two months due to accident
"We're really hoping na magtuloy-tuloy, and sana mas maging ano tayo, siguro, united and mas committed for the betterment of the PNVF," she added.
The Ateneo de Manila University legend also took her time to thank the previous national team members—without naming names—who "meant well" and knew that they only wanted the best for the national team program.
Last year's Alas core was led by captain Jia de Guzman, a name well-associated with Valdez since their college days.
READ: Alyssa Valdez: 'I will never get tired of representing the country'
"I want to take this opportunity to thank all the players—former, recent, and naging part ng national team—kasi we all mean well for the national team, and lahat ng commitment na binigay nila sa national team, talagang ang sarap sa pakiramdam bilang isang atleta," she said.
"So, nagpapasalamat kami sa lahat ng mga atleta at nag-represent ng national team and Alas din."
In the same speech, Valdez also thanked Rebisco, Creamline's mother company, for its "overwhelming" support.