NEW uniform. New teammates. Same old Alyssa Valdez.
The famed, fiery spiker was simply peerless—a standout not just with novice club Bureau of Customs, but in the whole league as well.
Last night, Valdez led BOC in beating University of the Philippines, 25-23, 25-18, 25-22, in the Shakey’s V-League Reinforced Conference at Philsports Arena.
Playing her first competitive game since July, Valdez scored 18 points and single-handedly sowed fear among the Maroons. She hit the match point—a back-row smash that toppled UP defenders like pinballs.
As her teammates celebrated, she turned to her adoring fans, some of whom gave her flowers.
Customs has two Thai reinforcements, Natthanicha Jaisaen and Kanjana Kuthaisong, who failed to play because they have yet to secure their International Transfer Certificates.
A player seeing action in another country is required to secure an ICT from the international federation, FIVB, national federations and their mother teams.
Earlier, EJ Laure and the returning Pam Lastimosa led University of Santo Tomas to a 25-16, 25-10, 25-23 victory over Coast Guard to take the solo lead at 2-0.
Laure displayed the finesse and spunk expected of an Asian Club veteran as she scored 12 points, while Lastimosa returned from injury to contribute seven points.
“I still have to a lot to do to regain my form,” said Lastimosa, who was stricken by an ACL injury and needed 10 months to recuperate.
The Tigresses are using the tournament as their tune-up for the UAAP. So far, they have been on point, never allowing the Dolphins to make a move except in the last set.
Meanwhile, Cignal downed Instituto Estetico Manila, 25-23, 25-20, 26-24, in the Spikers’ Turf men’s action.