Gorayeb worried for Valdez after injury

Alyssa Valdez FILE PHOTO

Philippine head coach Roger Gorayeb is willing to sit down his best player even when facing a difficult opponent.

“We were worried for Alyssa, we don’t want to risk her,” Gorayeb said on Saturday after the Philippines beat Kazakhstan in straight sets in the 2015 U23 Asian Women’s Volleyball Championship at Philsports Arena.

“I actually told EJ [Laure] to get ready just in case.”

Valdez injured her right thumb on Friday against Iran when she attempted a block.

Despite her injury, she scored 31 on Friday and 19 points on Saturday, giving her an average of 25 points per game.

“I don’t want to aggravate her injury,” Gorayeb said. “I told her, ‘if you get hurt Alyssa, just say it.’”

For Valdez, her injury is not an issue as long as she has her teammates who share her passion for volleyball.

“The coaches, the physical therapists did everything so that we can adjust,” Valdez said. “You feel different when you have teammates who are excited to play.”

“You just play, everything that you sacrifice will be rewarded.” RC