Ateneo’s Valdez named finals MVP

Alyssa Valdez. INQUIRER FILE PHOT/NOY MORCOSO

MANILA, Philippines — The season’s most valuable player Alyssa Valdez was also named the finals’ best.

The winsome but ruthless spiker averaged 18.5 points in the four games in the finals as she towed the Lady Eagles to their first-ever women’s volleyball championship in the UAAP.

Fittingly, Valdez delivered the championship-clinching hit in the 25-23, 26-24, 25-21 triumph of the winner-take-all game four on Saturday.

“Who would’ve thought we’d reach game 4? This is all worth it. Our goal was to reach the final four but we’re here in the end,” said an overwhelmed Valdez. “It’s all worth it.”

Valdez led the Lady Eagles in an inspired run to the championship, surviving countless do-or-die matches and a seemingly-insurmountable thrice-to-beat edge by La Salle.

“When we reached the finals, we really had nothing to lose. We just enjoyed the game and played our best, and this was the result.”

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