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Tag: Alyssa Valdez

  • Bella Belen looks up to these PVL stars as she builds her pro career

    Bella Belen looks up to these PVL stars as she builds her pro career

    Bella Belen’s transition to the professional stage has come with immediate attention—but for the young standout, development still begins with learning from the players who defined the league before her.

     

    Now carving out her role with the Capital1 Solar Spikers, Belen recently shared how several established stars in the Premier Volleyball League continue to shape her mindset and playing style. Despite her rapid rise, the rookie standout remains focused on absorbing lessons from veterans known for their consistency and versatility.

     

    Speaking to One Sports, Belen pointed to players whose work ethic and all-around impact have become benchmarks for her own growth.

     

    At the top of her list is Jema Galanza, a player she has already observed closely both on and off the court.

     

    “Siguro si ate Jema since nakasama ko na siya and nakita ko kung paano siya magtrabaho as a player and as a teammate. So, siya rin and all-around player siya,” said Belen.

     

    Belen also credited Ara Galang, whose influence dates back to her collegiate days and continues to carry over into the professional ranks.

     

    “Second, si ate Ara. Ever since collegiate level pa lang siya, parang UAAP pa lang siya, idol ko na talaga siya.”

     

    It was only natural for Alyssa Valdez to make Belen’s list—one of the sport’s most recognizable figures whose reliability remains a standard across generations.

     

    “Siyempre si Ate Alyssa since isa siya sa mga legend sa UAAP and ngayon naman napapakita niya parin na every time ipapasok siya sa court talagang maasahan siya ng team,” Belen said.

     

     

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    Another influence is Brooke Van Sickle, whom Belen previously played with in the national team setup.

     

    “Ate Brooke, naging ka-teammate ko rin siya before sa national team,” said Belen. “Kala ko nga makukuha namin siya [sa Capital1]. So ayun, Ate Brooke kasi all-around player din siya.”

     

    Rounding out her list is one of the league’s most respected playmakers, Jia De Guzman—though Belen kept her admiration playful.

     

    “Ate Jia talaga. So, wait. Ate Jia, pag tayo po nagkalaban, please sit out muna kayo, ha?”

     

    Belen’s appreciation for elite competition was put into perspective when the Creamline Cool Smashers showcased their defensive depth in a straight-sets victory over Capital1 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.

     

    Despite the loss, Belen emerged as a bright spot—continuing to prove why she is considered one of the league’s most promising young stars.

     

    For Belen, the experience reinforced a simple reality: the path to becoming a complete professional player is built not only through performance, but through studying the standards set by the very athletes she now competes against.

     

     

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  • Alyssa Valdez reflects on ‘trauma bond’ with Jia De Guzman after PVL reunion

    Alyssa Valdez reflects on ‘trauma bond’ with Jia De Guzman after PVL reunion

    After a two-year absence from the domestic league, Jia De Guzman finally made her long-awaited return to the Premier Volleyball League (PVL), suiting up once again for the Creamline Cool Smashers in the ongoing 2026 All-Filipino Conference.

     

    For De Guzman, the comeback was more than just another appearance on the court—it was a homecoming.

     

    The Philippine women’s national volleyball team captain wasted no time reminding fans why she remains one of the country’s premier setters. In Creamline’s 22-25, 25-17, 25-17, 25-18 victory over the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles on Tuesday, February 17, at the FilOil Centre in San Juan City, De Guzman delivered an all-around performance that underscored both her leadership and versatility.

     

    She finished with 10 points—an impressive tally for a setter—including six kills, two service aces, and two blocks. Beyond the numbers, however, it was her court vision, decision-making, and composure that steadied Creamline after dropping the opening set. De Guzman orchestrated the offense with precision, redistributing touches and maximizing her hitters as the Cool Smashers regained control of the match.

     

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    Her return also marked the reunion of one of Philippine volleyball’s most iconic duos.

     

    De Guzman and Alyssa Valdez share a bond that traces back to their collegiate days with the Ateneo Lady Eagles in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP). Together, they formed the backbone of Ateneo’s rise to prominence, leading the Lady Eagles to two UAAP women’s volleyball championships and ushering in a golden era for the program.

     

    Years later, their chemistry remains intact.

    Valdez described their partnership as something forged not just by wins and trophies, but by shared struggles and sacrifices.

     

    “There is something different about us because of everything we went through together since college. We have built that ‘trauma bond’ over the years – the sacrifices we made playing volleyball wasn’t easy,” Valdez said in a media interaction.

     

    Their journey together included grueling training sessions, heartbreaking losses, and the immense pressure of carrying Ateneo’s title aspirations. Those experiences, Valdez explained, strengthened not just their on-court connection but their mutual understanding as competitors and leaders.

     

    “So it’s really nice to see her take command now, especially with what she wants to do for the team and how she wants to keep improving herself as a setter. As her teammate, I really appreciate that,” she added.

     

    For Creamline, De Guzman’s return comes at a pivotal time in the 2026 All-Filipino Conference. The Cool Smashers are once again positioning themselves as title contenders, and having a seasoned international campaigner at the helm significantly boosts their championship aspirations.

     

    De Guzman has spent the past two years competing overseas and representing the Philippines in international tournaments, experiences that have sharpened her game and expanded her leadership perspective. Now back in the PVL, she brings that global exposure to a Creamline squad eager to maintain its dominance.

     

    More than just a reunion story, De Guzman’s comeback signals stability for the Cool Smashers. With Valdez providing firepower on the wings and De Guzman dictating tempo from the setter position, Creamline regains the core that once defined its championship runs.

     

    As the conference progresses, all eyes will be on how this rekindled partnership evolves—and whether their shared “trauma bond” can once again translate into another title charge.

    For now, one thing is certain: Jia De Guzman is back in the PVL, and Creamline looks stronger because of it.

     

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  • “I truly admire her”: Alyssa Valdez excited to face Bella Belen for the first time in the PVL

    “I truly admire her”: Alyssa Valdez excited to face Bella Belen for the first time in the PVL

    Widely regarded as one of the brightest stars to emerge from the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), Bella Belen continues to shoulder the expectations of becoming the next face of Philippine volleyball — and potentially a cornerstone of the national team’s future on the international stage.

     

    The former collegiate standout wasted little time making her mark in the professional ranks after being selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Rookie Draft by the Capital1 Solar Spikers. From the moment she donned the Solar Spikers jersey, Belen embraced the responsibility of leading a rebuilding franchise hungry to establish itself as a legitimate contender.

     

    Her rapid rise has not gone unnoticed. Belen recently added another honor to her ever-growing résumé, claiming the prestigious Ms. Volleyball Award from the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) at the Annual Awards Night held on Monday, February 16, at the Diamond Hotel in Manila.

     

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    The 23-year-old’s achievements have already earned praise from one of Philippine volleyball’s icons, Alyssa Valdez, a three-time Ms. Volleyball recipient herself. Valdez expressed her excitement at facing Belen on the court for the first time, when the Creamline Cool Smashers take on the Capital1 Solar Spikers in the ongoing PVL All-Filipino Conference.

     

    “This will actually be our first game against each other. I’m really excited to face her. More than her skills, I truly admire her character and personality, both on and off the court. She has that never-say-die attitude, that grit and discipline,” Valdez said in a media interaction.

    “I can’t wait to see her grow even more and become someone even more young athletes can look up to. But when it comes to our game this Saturday? Bella is Bella. We are very excited and looking forward to it, and hopefully we can give her a really good match,” she added.

     

    Interestingly, both Valdez and Belen share the same birthday, adding a symbolic layer to the praise from a player widely recognized as the greatest female volleyball athlete in Philippine history.

     

    Meanwhile, Creamline has made a strong start to the All-Filipino Conference, posting a 2-1 record to sit fourth in the standings. Valdez acknowledged that the team is still adjusting to reintegrating key players Jia De Guzman and Bernadeth Pons, who have returned to the franchise.

     

    “We are still working on being more in tune with each other. But it was really nice to see that never-give-up mentality come out after that first set. Hopefully, we can keep building on that because the team’s effort this game was really great,” Valdez said.

     

    She added, “For me, it’s really about mindset — I try to give my 100% all the time so that when the coaches call my name, I’m ready. It’s a team sport, and it’s not just about the players on the court. As a team, we definitely support each other. We are very proud of whoever is shining in the moment. It’s always full support from all of us.”

     

    The stage is now set for a highly anticipated clash, as the two top talents — Belen and Valdez — face off on Saturday, February 21, at the FilOil Centre. Fans can expect a showdown that highlights not just skill, but leadership, resilience, and the next generation of Philippine volleyball stars making their mark.

     

     

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  • Alyssa Valdez happy to see former mentor Tai Bundit back with Alas Pilipinas Women 

    Alyssa Valdez happy to see former mentor Tai Bundit back with Alas Pilipinas Women 

    Timing has a funny way of shaping careers, and for Alyssa Valdez, Tai Bundit’s return to the Philippine women’s national volleyball team feels less like coincidence and more like a moment that has been quietly building for years.

     

    Bundit, the Thai tactician behind some of the most dominant eras in Philippine volleyball, has been appointed head coach of Alas Pilipinas Women — a role that reunites him not only with the national program, but also with familiar faces who helped define his legacy in the country.

     

    One of them is setter Jia de Guzman, now the Alas Pilipinas Women captain, who once ran Bundit’s system during their championship years together. Their paths crossed again during the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand last December, where the Philippine squad endured another painful fourth-place finish — a result that only underscored how much the program has been searching for direction.

     

    Watching from courtside was Valdez, no longer in uniform but still deeply connected to the national team, this time working as a correspondent for Cignal. From that vantage point, she saw more than just a familiar coach returning — she saw a long-awaited chance for growth.

     

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    “I’m very happy for Coach Tai. Kasi I think one of the things din na nilu-look forward niya siguro ay mag-coach ulit ng women’s at makatulong sa volleyball program ng Philippines,” Valdez said during the SEA Games. “So I’m just really happy for him.”

     

    Bundit’s history in Philippine volleyball is impossible to separate from Valdez’s own rise. Together with the Ateneo Blue Eagles, they built the “Heartstrong” identity that powered back-to-back UAAP championships in Seasons 76 and 77 — a culture that emphasized discipline, resilience, and trust.

    That same philosophy later carried over to the professional ranks, where Bundit helped establish Creamline Cool Smashers as a dynasty, winning titles in the 2018 Reinforced, 2018 Open, and 2019 Open Conferences.

     

    Yet, beyond trophies, Valdez remembers Bundit most for the way he shaped her as a player.

    “Marami rin akong natutunan kay Coach Tai,” Valdez mused. “I feel like I had my best games then under him.”

     

    Under Bundit’s guidance, Valdez claimed three UAAP Most Valuable Player awards and later earned another MVP nod in the 2018 PVL Open Conference — achievements that defined her as one of the sport’s icons.

     

    The bond clearly remains intact. During their time in Thailand, the Creamline Cool Smashers even visited Bundit’s restaurant, a quiet reminder that relationships built through volleyball often extend far beyond the court.

     

    Valdez once summed up that connection in a 2016 birthday greeting, writing: “Two different cultures. Two opposite personalities. One common denominator… passion and love for the sport.”

     

    Now, as Bundit prepares to take on the challenge of leading Alas Pilipinas Women, Valdez sees opportunity — not just for wins, but for development.

     

    “So really looking forward na makita, if ever matuloy yan, makita siya na matulungan at maturuan itong mga nasa national team natin,” she said.

     

    The Philippine National Volleyball Federation confirmed that Bundit had long been on its radar, especially with coach Jorge de Brito’s contract set to expire at the end of 2025.

     

    “Yeah, nasa wishlist siya,” PNVF president Tony Boy Liao said. “If you will say, medyo champion coach—lahat ng teams na binanggit ko, pinag-champion siya.”

     

    For Valdez, the story isn’t just about a decorated coach coming back. It’s about experience meeting urgency — and the belief that the lessons that once built champions might now help lift the national team to where it has long aspired to be.

     

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  • Is Alyssa Valdez Nearing the End of Her Volleyball Career?

    Is Alyssa Valdez Nearing the End of Her Volleyball Career?

    There was a time when Alyssa Valdez didn’t just influence games — she controlled them. Defenses tilted toward her. Rotations were built around stopping her. Entire match plans existed because of her presence. For years, she wasn’t simply Creamline’s star. She was Philippine volleyball.

     

    That is precisely why the current moment feels so jarring.

     

    The question is no longer whispered. It’s hanging in plain sight: Is this already the end of Alyssa Valdez as an active, full-time player?

     

    This isn’t about one bad night, one quiet conference, or one tactical decision by Creamline’s coaching staff. It’s the cumulative weight of seasons — the injuries that never fully disappear, the minutes that keep shrinking, and the unmistakable shift in how Creamline now wins without needing Valdez on the floor.

     

    A body pushed to its limits

     

    Valdez’s reduced role didn’t come out of nowhere. Her résumé is also her warning label. Years of carrying Ateneo. Years of being the offensive focal point in the PVL. National team duty that demanded both volume and leadership. Overseas stints layered on top of already punishing schedules.

     

    Knees. Ankles. Rehab cycles that seem to blur together.

     

    Volleyball is especially cruel to players whose greatness is built on explosiveness. Every approach is a gamble. Every landing adds interest to past injuries. For Valdez, each return has required her body to answer the same question again — and lately, the response has been hesitant at best.

     

    Creamline’s handling of her in recent conferences tells the story more honestly than any stat line. Carefully managed appearances. Shorter stints. And, most tellingly, absence from crunch-time lineups. Not because she isn’t trusted — but because the risk-reward equation no longer favors forcing her into roles her body may no longer support.

     

    From franchise pillar to optional piece

     

    The contrast with her peak is impossible to ignore.

     

    Multiple-time PVL MVP. Finals MVP. Collegiate icon. International mainstay. A player who once carried not just points, but identity — for her team and for the league itself.

     

    Today, Creamline’s system hums through younger, healthier attackers. The Cool Smashers continue to dominate, and they do so comfortably without Valdez as their primary option. 

     

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    That reality is perhaps the most uncomfortable truth of all: Creamline no longer needs Alyssa Valdez to win championships.

     

    That doesn’t erase her legacy — but it undeniably reframes her present. When a dynasty keeps rolling while its former centerpiece becomes situational, the message is clear. This is no longer a temporary adjustment. It’s a structural shift.

     

    Her declining minutes aren’t about form or confidence. They reflect the brutal economics of elite sport. The game has sped up. The margin for decline has vanished. And nostalgia doesn’t earn court time on a title favorite.

     

    Evolution — or quiet exit?

     

    Decline doesn’t always announce itself as an ending. Sometimes it simply offers alternatives.

    Valdez has already hinted at one. She has spoken openly about being ready for a future in sports reporting, backed by real experience as a Team Philippines correspondent during the recent SEA Games in Thailand. That isn’t a casual side interest — it’s preparation.

     

    And that context matters. Because it suggests Valdez herself may recognize what the court is increasingly telling her.

     

    She will always matter to Philippine volleyball — as a leader, mentor, symbol, and standard-setter. Few players command the respect she does even when not in uniform. But if the conversation is about her future as a heavy-minutes, go-to scorer, the evidence is no longer kind.

     

    Injuries have tightened her window. Younger teammates have blown theirs wide open.

     

    The cruel ending elite athletes rarely get

     

    Great players almost never get the farewell they deserve. There’s no dramatic final spike that signals closure. There’s just the slow fade: fewer touches, fewer starts, fewer moments where the game needs you.

     

    Valdez may still have flashes left. She may push through another conference or two. And if she does, it will be with the professionalism and dignity that defined her rise.

     

    But this phase feels less about extending greatness — and more about choosing how the story closes.

     

    Because the hardest truth isn’t whether Alyssa Valdez will be remembered. That’s already settled.

    The real question is whether her body — and the modern demands of the PVL — will allow her to keep chasing a version of herself that may no longer exist.

     

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  • Alyssa Valdez reflects on her experience covering the 2025 SEA Games as a sports correspondent

    Alyssa Valdez reflects on her experience covering the 2025 SEA Games as a sports correspondent

    Alyssa Valdez, the iconic Alas Pilipinas and Creamline Cool Smashers star, is widely regarded as the most popular volleyball player in the Philippines and a key figure in bringing the sport into the national mainstream.

     

    However, Valdez was notably absent from Alas Pilipinas’ squad for the recently concluded 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand, instead taking on a new challenge as a media correspondent for Cignal, the official broadcaster of the SEA Games in the Philippines.

     

    In the latest episode of her podcast, “The Transition Playbook,” the 32-year-old admitted she was initially nervous about her new role, given that it was an entirely different environment from competing on the court.

     

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    “Honestly, when I took the job, I was asking Boom Gonzales kung paano ba gagawin? Sobrang kabado talaga ako,” Valdez shared, recalling the anxiety she felt stepping into broadcasting.

    Valdez added that working alongside familiar faces added a unique layer of pressure.

    “I was once teammates with all these players, most especially sa women’s indoor volleyball, di ba? So medyo iba din talaga yung kaba,” she explained.

     

    Despite the initial awkwardness, Valdez embraced her new responsibilities, finding that covering the games gave her a fresh perspective on sports and the athletes she had once competed alongside.

     

    “I’d say, nagging iba yung relationship ko with sports. Kasi, one, as an athlete, alam mo yung pinaghirapan nung mga athlete na lumalaban to represent the country. Iba yung pag-approach ko din sa kanila. I just feel like iba yung pag-approach ko sa kanila bilang atleta pa rin. So, yun yung actually dinala ko when I went there. And yun naman yung advice din sa akin nila Boom. Iba din yung pagiging conversation when you talk parang as athletes to athletes. So, yun yung dinala ko. But siguro now, mas lumawak yung learnings about sports,” Valdez said.

     

    With a major international assignment under her belt, Valdez is now contemplating whether sports broadcasting could be a future career path after she retires from volleyball.

     

    “I think if I’m gonna do it, I really want to explore more. But if I’m gonna do it, I really have to learn and really study all the things na kasama nun. Kasi, siyempre, ibang world na yun. So, I really want to be ready if magkaroon ulit ng chance na mapunta ako sa ganong sitwasyon,” she concluded.

     

    Valdez’s experience at the SEA Games highlights her adaptability and dedication to Philippine sports, showing that her influence extends beyond the court. By embracing a role in sports media, she not only gains a new perspective but also continues to inspire athletes and fans alike.

     

    Whether she chooses to pursue broadcasting full-time or focuses on her volleyball career, Alyssa Valdez remains a trailblazer, bridging the worlds of elite competition and sports storytelling.

     

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