Valdez wary of challenge that awaits vs UST, Rondina

Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

For the past two seasons, Alyssa Valdez has been in a class of her own in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament, but come her final season a new kid on the block has put a legitimate challenge to her reign.

University of Santo Tomas’ Cherry Ann Rondina has quickly emerged as one of the league’s best players and Valdez knows going up against a player with that kind of talent is not someone to be taken for granted. 

“We know her, she’s going to fight,” Valdez said Sunday at San Juan Arena. “We have to give her 100% percent every game because she loves volleyball, let’s see.”

Rondina actually topped the league in scoring after the first round with a total of 129 points while Valdez was at the fourth spot with 113.

With the second round getting into its midway point, Valdez has overtaken Rondina as she now averages 17.2 points a game while Rondina slipped to 16.44.

Ateneo tangles with UST on Saturday at Philsports Arena in Pasig City.