4th PVL MVP award inspires Valdez to push herself more

Creamline’s Alyssa Valdez hoists her twin trophies, including the Conference MVP, after leading the top performers in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference during awards rites at the Philsports Arena in Pasig Tuesday. The former Ateneo star also took the First Best Outside Spiker award while steering the Cool Smashers to third place finish in the season-opening conference of the league organized by Sports Vision. CONTRIBUTED

Her fourth Conference Most Valuable Player award is a reminder for Alyssa Valdez of how much she still wants to continue improving on her craft.

“It’s motivating me to really help the team improve in terms of our our skills and listen to our coaches,” she said, moments after securing the MVP plum in the 2017 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference women’s division on Tuesday.

“It makes me think that I shouldn’t stop improving myself. I can stop doing what I’m doing, but I have the choice to pursue and still try to push myself to the limit.”

READ: Valdez powers Creamline to 1st win

Valdez also won the First Best Outside Spiker with her 20.7 points per match, making her the most decorated volleybelle in the history of the league.

Joining the Creamline hitter in the honor roll are Bali Pure’s Grethcel Soltones, who was named as the Second Best Outside Spiker.

Bali Pure’s Risa Sato and Pocari Sweat’s Jeanette Panaga finished 1-2 in the Best Middle Blocker race, Power Smashers’ Dimdim Pacres was honored as the Best Opposite Spiker, Bali Pure’s Jasmine Nabor was hailed as the Best Setter, and Pocari Sweat’s Melissa Gohing got the Best Libero award.

What makes this MVP unique for Valdez was it was her first recognition since formally leaving the auspices of the Ateneo campus.

READ: Creamline gets bronze in PVL

“After everything I went through, with my stints in Thailand, it really makes me feel old. But for what it’s worth, I’m thankful for the support that I get, that even though I’ve changed through a lot of teams, they’re always there,” she said.

But three-time UAAP MVP said that this journey with Creamline is just the start.

“Definitely, the goal for every team entering the conference is to get the championship,” she said, as the Cool Smashers ended their inaugural foray in the league at third. “Our goal doesn’t stop here but definitely, this is just the beginning. I hope our journey with the Cool Smashers continue to improve in the coming conferences.”