CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Ateneo’s most prolific volleyball duo reunited on the padded floors Saturday at Filoil Flying V Centre as Alyssa Valdez and Jia Morado once again joined forces, this time in the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference.
This new partnership of Morado and Valdez, who spearheaded the Lady Eagles back-to-back championship campaigns in the UAAP, is off to a new start as the Creamline Cool Smashers turned back Adamson University 25-17, 18-25, 25-15, 25-15.
“Playing with Jia pumps me up because it’s really good to play with someone you know and I’m thankful because she’s always thinking on whom to give the ball to,” said Valdez who won three straight MVPs with Morado as her setter.
“And it’s great because she will put the ball up wherever there’s no defender on that spot so it’s really a great feeling for us spikers.”
Their first game together saw Valdez score 18 points and Morado register 36 excellent sets, her whole team’s production.
Morado said she’s glad she’s back to playing volleyball and she hopes she learns more in her first stint in the club scene.
“I’m happy to be back and I know there are still so many things to experience, I know I’ll get this because every day is a learning experience,” said Morado.