Alyssa Valdez and the Ateneo Lady Eagles. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Pushed to her limit, Alyssa Valdez gave everything she could to bring back Ateneo from the dead in Game 2 and into a knockout duel with La Salle on Sunday for the UAAP championship.
Valdez, arguably the best volleyball player in the country, unleashed one fireball after another en route to a 34-point performance to lead the Lady Eagles’ comeback win in five gruelling sets.
And just when one would think she can’t possibly have something left, Valdez is willing to give more.
One more for one final time, says the graduating superstar.
“Mind over matter na, kahit masakit kahit anong meron lalaban,” a teary-eyed Valdez said. “Laban lang nang laban.”
The two-time MVP gets added strength and confidence from her coach Tai Bundit, who has always been a picture of calmness on the Ateneo sidelines.
“Coach Tai will always say kahit lamang two sets kalaban, he’ll just say ‘0-0’ and it’s true when you enter a new set, it’s 0-0 pero andoon yung times na iisipin mong two sets na sila,” Valdez said.
“Pag andun na papaluin at papaluin mo na lang ang bola, tapos pagkakita mo sa likod mag-chi-cheer teammates mo. God gave me another chance to defend the crown at ano pa hihilingin mo but to give it your best, give it your all.” Bong Lozada/INQUIRER.net