Valdez confirms Thai report; 4 stars get invites too

Alyssa Valdez, left, and Jeffrey Jimenez during the opening of the 13th season of the Shakey’s V-League. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Alyssa Valdez confirmed reports she is playing in a Thailand volleyball league, even as Philippine Superliga stars Jaja Santiago of Foton, Kim Fajardo and Aby Maraño of F2 Logistics and Jovelyn Gonzaga of RC Cola-Army also got invites to play there.

“I thank 3BB Nakornnont for giving me the opportunity to join them next year,” Valdez said in a statement to media yesterday. “We are still threshing out details as of now, but I will be flying to Thailand on Jan. 15 to begin preparing for a tournament starting Jan. 29.

“I am very excited about this and hope that this open doors for more Filipino volleyball players to get the chance to play overseas. This is a blessing that has been very timely as we celebrate Christmas season.”

PSL president Ramon “Tats” Suzara is also talking to Thai volleyball officials to help facilitate what is taking shape as “importation” of Filipino talents abroad, starting with the Thai-Denmark Super League.

“They want to acquire four of our stars,” said Suzara.

However, Suzara told them that Santiago and Fajardo wouldn’t be available because of their duties with National University and La Salle, respectively, in the UAAP.

Gonzaga is also out because she will undergo an eight-month military training at the Training and Doctrine Center of the Philippine Army in Tarlac.

But the explosive 5-foot-9 Marano, the league’s 1st Best Middle Blocker for three straight conferences, will be available, according to Suzara.