MMANILA, Philippines—Alyssa Valdez, backbone of Team Philippines’ drive for volleyball resurgence, sprained her right ankle Friday morning in practice and will miss the national team’s training camp and competition in Thailand.
This was bared by Larong Volleyball Sa Pilipinas president Joey Romasanta who said the 26-year-old Valdez will not push through with the scheduled trip to Bangkok on Sunday along with other Premier Volleyball League players.
“She was advised by doctors not to fly,” said Romasanta. “Anyway, the important thing is that she’s healthy for the SEA (Southeast Asian) Games because that’s what we are preparing for.”
Valdez accidentally stepped on a teammates’ foot upon landing from a block attempt during practice. The ankle got “minimal swelling” and she reportedly had “difficulty bearing weight on her right foot while walking.”
She was brought to St. Luke’s Medical Center Global City where top sports doctor Jose Raul Canlas recommended “no practice, competition or training for seven days.”
The doctor also order physical therapy for Valdez and prescribed anti-inflammatory.
The Creamline team captain was supposed to fly with teammate Jia Morado, PacificTown-Army’s Jovelyn Gonzaga and Choco Mucho’s Maddie Madayag to join the rest of the team in Thailand.
Aside from playing friendlies, they are also set to compete in the inaugural SEA Grand Prix on Sept. 20-22 as the first tune-up tournament for the national squad.
But Romasanta said he is optimistic that Valdez will be healthy by the time the Philippines hosts the second leg of the SEA GP on. Oct. 4-6 in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.