Alyssa Valdez feeling like a ‘rookie’ again as she returns to action after injury battle

MANILA, Philippines — Alyssa Valdez is thrilled to return to action for Creamline in the Premier Volleyball League after sitting out for six months due to a right knee injury, but she isn’t rushing her way to regaining her old form.

The three-time PVL Most Valuable Player started and played the whole game in the Cool Smashers’ 25-22, 25-22, 25-17 victory over the new-look Chery Tiggo Crossovers in the 2023 PVL Invitational Conference on Tuesday at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

“I’m very, very grateful that we got the win. Everyone really stepped up and played well. I’m just really lucky enough also that coach Sherwin gave me a chance to play today’s game. It’s really been a while since I last played, it’s really different to actually play a full game. Very grateful for the experience knowing also that we faced one of the strongest teams,” Valdez said.

Valdez, who didn’t play in their title run in the All-Filipino Conference, only had three points, scoring her first spike in the second set, but she displayed a steady floor defense with 10-of-16 in digs.

LONGEST BREAK

She admitted that she is still working her way to one hundred percent recovery, six months after she injured her knee in the Reinforced Conference against the same team she faced today.

“It’s quite different. This is the longest that I’ve never played volleyball in my life. They always remind me not to rush my recovery and I really have to trust the process, one step at a time. I think it’s really a mental challenge coming in also knowing that I’m not getting any younger and I had my injury just recently so I have to really take care of my body also,” Valdez said. “Hopefully, I will get used to the volleyball court again and I really can’t wait to have smooth movement and fluidity with my teammates especially since I know that they are there to support me.”

“I was nervous and excited at the same time. It felt like I am a rookie so I hope I can have that mentality as well, being a rookie, just being myself and enjoying the match and helping my teammates,” she added. 

WATCH: Alyssa Valdez plays her first PVL game since sustaining a right knee injury in Dec. #PVL2023 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/dyhyVPW7g6

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) June 27, 2023

Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses bared that they really planned to start Valdez and play the whole game.

“It was our plan to put her in the first six because she already recovered even before the SEA Games. In training, we are already fielding her,” Meneses said in Filipino.

Valdez also lauded the rookies of Chery Tiggo, led by Eya Laure’s 14-point debut.

“It’s a given. I think we all expected that the Chery Tiggo recruits will play well. They gave their best. We don’t expect anything from them but they really showed an amazing game in today’s first match in the pros,” she said. “It’s just their first game, we can’t wait for more entertaining games in the next matches. Hands down to all these Chery Tiggo rookies and we can’t wait na talagang mapuno rin nila yung arena for Chery Tiggo’s future events.”

Valdez is turning 30 on Thursday when Creamline eyes its second win in Pool A against the debuting Gerflor Defenders.

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