Alyssa Valdez’s impact as strong as ever for dynastic Creamline

MANILA, Philippines – Alyssa Valdez no longer puts up the same staggering numbers she used to during the peak of her powers.

Even playing time has become irregular for the “Phenom,” especially in a stacked team like Creamline that features a bevy of proven and battle-tested stars. 

Her impact, though, remains strong as ever, her calming presence and savvy leadership serving as a guiding light as the Cool Smashers captured a record-extending 11th championship in the Premier Volleyball League.

For Valdez, even if her role has evolved, her competitive nature endures.

“I just really want to enjoy playing volleyball. At this point in 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 Valdez.

Constant figure

Valdez has been with Creamline through it all: its rise to a dynasty, its presumed downfall, and its eventual resurgence.

She is one of only four players who were part of all of the Cool Smashers’ 11 titles alongside Jema Galanza, Michele Gumabao, and Kyla Atienza.

Those 11 championships included the first-ever Grand Slam in PVL history as Creamline ruled all three tournaments — the All-Filipino, Reinforced, and Invitational Conferences — in the 2024 season.

However, cracks have slowly appeared in what seemed like the Cool Smashers’ impenetrable wall. 

Creamline fell short of its All-Filipino five-peat bid after losing to Petro Gazz in the finals to start the 2024-25 season, then failed to reach the title series in the next three tournaments: the PVL On Tour, Invitational, and Reinforced.

It marked the Cool Smashers’ longest title drought in franchise history, having never gone more than two tournaments without a championship since their first title in the 2018 Reinforced Conference.

But Creamline reclaimed its place atop the PVL, largely thanks to the return of some old reliables in Jia de Guzman and Bernadeth Pons.

De Guzman suited up for the Cool Smashers for the first time since 2023 after spending a couple of years playing in Japan, while Pons came back following her stint with the Alas Pilipinas beach volleyball team, highlighted by a historic Southeast Asian Games gold medal.

With the band back together again, Creamline swept the Cignal Super Spikers in a best-of-three title series to annex its seventh All-Filipino crown. 

“One of the things I’m very grateful for this conference is that we actually redefined and found ourselves. We got to know each other better. It also makes me happy because this is the first time that we’re complete again,” said Valdez.

While the Cool Smashers undoubtedly have the talent to succeed, it pays to have someone like Valdez as a stabilizer. 

“Ate Ly is one of the biggest leaders we have in the team. In terms of experience, she is definitely ahead. In the crucial moments, she would always have very helpful tips or advice that helped us power through,” said De Guzman.

From the team’s veterans to newcomers, everybody listens when Valdez speaks.

“Ate Aly’s role is still big, especially during huddles. Her leadership in our team is significant. She has a huge impact when it comes to motivating us, and I’m really happy that we’re able to apply her instructions on the court,” said Creamline rookie Sheena Toring. 

Still got it

Valdez can still torch opponents when given the chance.

In the Cool Smashers’ do-or-die match against the Akari Chargers in the play-in round, the 32-year-old fired 20 points to go with 19 excellent digs and 8 excellent receptions in a four-set victory that sent Creamline to the final four.

Her other double-digit efforts included a 22-point performance in a five-set win over Cignal to end the preliminary round, and a 10-point outing in a five-set triumph over PLDT High Speed Hitters in the round-robin semifinals. 

Valdez went scoreless in the finals and appeared in just three sets total, yet she still figured prominently in the title-clinching point of the 25-23, 22-25, 25-16, 16-25, 15-11 win in Game 2 on Thursday, April 23. 

Subbed in to serve at match point, Valdez nearly dished out an ace before Tots Carlos’ block on Cignal star Vanie Gandler sealed the Cool Smashers’ newest championship. 

In many ways, that play encapsulated Valdez’s contributions on the team. 

“The importance of a player — it’s not based on how much playing time they get; it’s what we do for the team, regardless of whether we’re on court or not,” said De Guzman.

“We all have roles to play. Whether we get limited playing time, whether we get a lot of playing time, we’re all important to the team.” – Rappler.com