Valdez finds new purpose in Creamline dominance

Alyssa Valdez has already built one of the most decorated careers in Philippine volleyball, but her latest Premier Volleyball League title with Creamline carried a more personal meaning.

The 32-year-old outside hitter, who starred for Ateneo in the UAAP before becoming a central figure in Creamline’s PVL dynasty, helped the Cool Smashers clinch their 11th league championship.

At this stage of her career, Valdez said she is no longer driven by the need to prove herself to the public.

“At this point of my career, I want to prove — not to other people, but to myself — that I’m here because I still want it and I still have it,” said the former three-time league MVP after the Cool Smashers clinched their 11th PVL championship.

Valdez’s role has evolved in recent seasons from undisputed lead scorer to a veteran presence who delivers leadership, steadiness and timely production when Creamline needs it most.

That value became clear during a crucial stretch of the conference, when injuries to Jema Galanza and Bernadeth Pons forced the Cool Smashers to adjust while their semifinal hopes were at risk.

Valdez responded in Creamline’s final preliminary assignment against the Super Spikers with 22 points, 13 excellent digs and 13 excellent receptions.

The performance helped the Cool Smashers secure a vital path to the next phase.

Even in a qualifying-round loss to the same opponent, Valdez remained productive with 18 points, 19 digs and 20 receptions.

She followed that with another all-around effort in the play-in against Akari, finishing with 20 points, 19 digs and eight receptions to send Creamline to the semifinals.

Across that decisive three-game stretch, Valdez averaged 20.0 points, 17.0 digs and 13.6 excellent receptions.

The numbers nearly resembled a statistical triple-double and proved pivotal in keeping Creamline’s title campaign alive.

Once the Cool Smashers regained full strength entering the semifinals, Valdez gradually stepped back as Pons and Galanza again took center stage.

By then, Valdez had already done the stabilizing work that helped Creamline survive its most difficult phase of the conference.

“I just really wanna enjoy playing volleyball. I’m just very, very happy to all my teammates, sa lahat ng nagse-step up, at sa bawat isa ng Cool Smashers,” said Valdez.

Valdez said Creamline’s latest championship also reflected the team’s maturity and ability to adjust under pressure.

“I think yung Creamline ngayon, I would say seasoned talaga. Kasi, throughout the conference, ang daming struggles — as in. Pero because we’re all veterans din, I think napag-usapan talaga nang mabuti kung ano yung mga kailangang gawin. And sobrang very mature, from the coaches down to our staff — talagang nag-contribute.”

By the semifinals, attention had shifted back to Creamline’s younger stars, but Valdez’s impact remained central to the Cool Smashers’ run.

Her resurgence did not merely fill a gap. It steadied an entire championship campaign.

For Valdez, the latest triumph reinforced her place not only as a decorated star, but as a constant force when Creamline needs balance most.  (PVL)