Alyssa Valdez assists a volleyball fan during her volleyball camp. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
After the success of the first-ever PLDT Home Ultera Alyssa Valdez Skills Camp, the three-time UAAP MVP hopes to bring the activity to more areas in the near future.
Almost 600 participants from Laoag to Marinduque to Tacloban aged six to 33 joined the activity held in four venues in Laguna, Quezon City, Batangas and Rizal from May 5 to 21.
“I’m super overwhelmed with the response we got for the camp,” said Valdez, whose volleyball group, Crosscourt, organized the skills training. “Even during the first leg, we’ve been getting requests to bring the camp to the provinces.”
“I am just blessed to be given this opportunity to share the knowledge we have to these kids and we’re looking forward to doing more of these in the future,” she added.
Joining Valdez in the star-studded lineup of camp coaches were back-to- back NCAA MVP Grethcel Soltones, UAAP champions Kim Fajardo, Ysay Marasigan, Ron Medalla, Dan Posadas and Ish Polvorosa, past and present Ateneo stars Jho Maraguinot, Bea de Leon, Ella de Jesus, Amy Ahomiro and Bea Tan, and resident mentor Joyce Palad.
Valdez’s mentor, Kung Fu Reyes, also helped, along with NU standouts Jaja Santiago and Jorelle Singh, St. Benilde’s John Vic de Guzman, and rising stars Mylene Paat of Adamson, UST’s EJ Laure and Shaya Adorador of UE.
Volleyball expert Mozzy Ravena and son Kiefer joined the final leg of the camp also supported by STI College, Toby’s Sports, Wilson, University of Batangas, The Frazzled Cook, Glutamax, Gatorade, Jollibee, Intermatrix, Ally’s, AQ and Lotto.
“The kids are very lucky to have learned from some of the best volleyball players and minds we have here. It’s not everyday that you gather MVPs and champions in one place to teach and inspire aspiring volleyball players,” Valdez said.
“Super happy. Naiyak ako sa sobrang tuwa,” said 15-year- old Alyssa Miralles, who travelled from Tacloban to participate in the Quezon City camp. “We hope to have it here sa amin because she has a lot of fans there, too.”
Valdez added Crosscourt will likely bring the camp to key cities in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao before culminating in a national camp during the semestral break.