Alyssa Valdez chasing dream of playing overseas

For a three-time MVP in the UAAP and a two-time champion for Ateneo, Alyssa Valdez has practically experienced most of what the local volleyball scene has to offer.

She spearheaded the meteoric rise to power of the Lady Eagles in the UAAP and became a household name in the country.

With a resume worthy of envy, it’s no surprise that Valdez is looking to continue her still young career overseas.

“Siyempre as an athlete, you really want na tumaas ang level of competition. As an athlete, kailangan mong ma-satisfy,” Valdez told INQUIRER’s live omni-platform sports show Sports IQ. “Now, I’m really leaning towards this, one of my dreams talaga is playing internationally.”

“So I’m really looking forward na sana makahanap kami ng team outside [the country].”

Valdez has had several chances to represent Philippines in international competition, leading the country in the 2015 Asian Women’s U23 Volleyball Competition in Pasig and in the Singapore Southeast Asian Games where she was flagbearer.

A country that Valdez has grown to love is Thailand.

“One country na close talaga sa heart ko is Thailand,” said Valdez “We’ve been going there back and forth for training. Yung culture, siguro rin yung volleyball culture nila is medyo na-a-adapt din natin.”

“But I’m really open for anything. I really want to experience yung quality or challenge. As a player, you wanna see yourself dying again. Recovering again.”

Valdez has drawn the interest of foreign coaches during the U23 including Japanese head coach Kiyhoshi Abo.