Alyssa Valdez with a kill. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
On the brink of losing the UAAP Women’s Volleyball title, Alyssa Valdez went full-on legend mode and almost singlehandedly destroyed De La Salle’s hopes of a sweep.
Valdez put up 34 points to lead the Lady Eagles over the Lady Spikers, 18-25, 26-28, 25-17, 25-16, 15-11 in one epic comeback, including six of Ateneo’s final eight points.
READ: Loss of focus doomed Lady Spikers, says La Salle athletic exec
It’s a moment of pure heroism especially with a three-time MVP rallying her team to glory and forcing a third game, but Valdez’ coach and senior teammate wasn’t at all surprised with what the Phenom did.
“Alyssa is the same last year, she stood out today,” Lady Eagles head coach Tai Bundit said. “I told Alyssa spike left and right, spike left and right, and meditate before you spike.”
Amy Ahomiro, who’s been a teammate of Valdez for five years, also didn’t see anything surprising from her teammate.
READ: Graduating Valdez gives back: 3rd MVP award for everyone
“She turned up in the third, fourth, and fifth sets, I’m not really surprised, that’s Alyssa,” Ahomiro said. “That’s why she’s known as the Phenom and I’m glad she’s on my team, and I’m not playing against her.”
Valdez’ heroism came in full light in the fifth set when she unleashed a maelstrom of offense that left the Lady Spikers dumbfounded.
READ: Ahomiro: Momentum now on Ateneo’s side
Only Mika Reyes managed to put up a challenge agains’t Valdez’ onslaught as she scored La Salle’s final three points.
Ahomiro said Valdez has “always been like that” and she even compared her teammate to Michael Jordan, though jokingly.
“I’m not surprised,” Ahomiro said of Valdez’ 34 points. “I thought she had 50, she’s MJ.”