Valdez fan gets opportunity of lifetime

Alyssa Valdez has achieved the level of popularity that made her an icon even at such a young age.

Spearheading Ateneo’s rise to UAAP volleyball supremacy, the three-time MVP has inspired a myriad of fans, and none more so than Jecha Abucejo.

Abucejo, 19-years-old from Las Pinas, got to spend some time with Valdez as the winner of the #MeetAlyssa promo of SportsIQ, and got to join the two-time UAAP champion in the booth during live interview with her idol.

Abucejo couldn’t forget her most memorable “Alyssa Valdez moment” before Thursday. It was when Valdez was one her way to the team bus in Ateneo’s last games of the season and Abucejo was among the scores who waited outside just to catch a glimpse of the Phenom.

“Nandoon po ako sa labas, and kahit hindi man niya ako nakita, makita ko lang siya okay na ako,” said Abusejo.

She added she’s enthralled with how Valdez handles pressure and how the former Queen Eagle just smiles her problems away.

“Yung buhay ko, naiinspire po kay Valdez na kahit ang dami niyang problema, dinadaan lang niya sa tawa.”

Valdez, too, reciprocated the joy Abujeco gets saying she likewise feels inspired when there are people who look up to her.

“Same lang naman nangyayari sa akin, if a fan approaches me, it changes me as a person,” said Valdez. “Natutuwa din naman ako, it makes me happy na nakikita nila and i-approach para may sabihin.”

“You give back and take something. Give and take lang ang ginagawa namin between fans and supporters. We’re considering them also as family.”