Alyssa leads Creamline Cool Smashers to their first win in the PVL All-Filipino Conference. –PVL PHOTO

ANTIPOLO — Missing Creamline’s Grand Slam campaign in the past two conferences gave Alyssa Valdez a renewed motivation and a different perspective on playing volleyball. 

Valdez came back from a four-month absence caused by her nagging knee injury, showing flashes of her lethal form to inspire Creamline to its 25-19, 25-22, 25-16 sweep of Petro Gazz in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference on Saturday at Ynares Center Antipolo.

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READ: PVL: Alyssa Valdez sparks Creamline sweep of Petro Gazz

Being on the sidelines, the three-time league MVP relished her much-anticipated comeback, making the most of the limited action she had in her first game.

“Motivation talaga would be to enjoy volleyball again. One of the things that we’ve been doing, finding, we’ve been training hard… But I think at the end of the day we enjoy it more than ever, mas iba yung mabibigay na saya, and yung mga panalo, and yung mga sa amin,” said Valdez.

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Alyssa Valdez on her recovery journey. #PVL2025 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/hsxfcAca2E

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) November 16, 2024

“Kahit sino ipasok, kahit ano mangyari, kahit sino ipasok nandoon talaga yung respeto at tiwala. So isa rin yun sa motivation namin, yung respect na binibigay namin sa isa’t isa, na winork namin together sa sistema ni coach. Definitely we’ve been following the system ni coach, and hopefully mabigyan namin ng justice yung sistema, and one game at a time pa rin.”

Alyssa Valdez rises for a hit to lead the Creamline Cool Smashers to their first win in the PVL All-Filipino Conference. –PVL PHOTO

Missing the action in the past two conferences has made Valdez appreciate more  how her teammates have been stepping up to the challenge–one of the proofs of a successful volleyball program under coach Sherwin Meneses. 

“I just saw how talented and amazing my teammates are that’s one thing for sure. How they want to play volleyball in such a way na nagtutulungan talaga sila, I think from then on, because of that as well, I realize na I just have to actually, enjoy the sport again, be back and be happier than ever. Hopefully ‘yun din yung energy na maitulong ko sa kanila,” said Valdez, who was sidelined along with Tots Carlos.

READ: PVL: Creamline Cool Smashers are now immortals

The 31-year-old spiker said she took her therapy and training seriously and religiously during her roller coaster recovery journey, which taught her a different perspective. 

“To be honest it wasn’t easy. It’s hot and cold, may mga days na okay, may mga days na hindi talaga. It’s part of the process talaga, mas doon tumitibay yung loob, yung katawan. Doon talaga nare-re-invent ko yung sarili ko, so I guess why, I saw volleyball in a different perspective,” Valdez said. “That’s why I am glad to be back, and I am glad to join the sports again. Grabe talaga yung tiwala ng mga coaches, and I would just like to use this opportunity to thank the coaching staff.”

Valdez admitted she couldn’t yet gauge the percentage of her full recovery but what’s important for her is the present — she’s able to play volleyball again — the sport that took her to greater heights.

READ: Alyssa Valdez says PH now a ‘volleyball country’

“Honestly, It’s just so nice to be able to feel that I am able to jump again, to spike again, to help again…So if you’re going to ask me how far… I think right now I just wanna celebrate what I have right now. I wanna stay in the present, that’s one thing that I’ve learned also. Celebrate small wins, stay in the present, just be glad and grateful for everything that is happening right now,” said Valdez. 

“Sana lang I take it one day at a time. Hopefully, mas ma-enjoy ko pa at mas  makatulong sa team at sana makabalik ako sa 100 percent.”