Alyssa Valdez excited to play against former Taiwanese coach, teammates

Creamline’s Alyssa Valdez. –PVL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Alyssa Valdez and her former coach in Taipei, Teng Yen-Min, are looking forward to their match-up as finals-bound Creamline battles KingWhale on Friday in the Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference at FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan.

Valdez, who played for Attack Line in the Taiwan league last 2017, is going up against her former head coach, who is now calling the shots for a new club team.

The match is set at 4 p.m. with KingWhale eyeing to clinch the last finals berth for the right to face the Cool Smashers on Sunday’s winner-take-all at Mall of Asia Arena.

Teng said she couldn’t wait to face his ex-player after four years, admitting Creamline is going to be a tough test for his young squad, led by ace setter Liao Yi-Jen and Brazilian import Beatriz Carvalho.

“I’m happy to meet Alyssa, because she played in Taiwan for one season. So, we have many good talks, and it’s good for us. For four years, we didn’t meet. I’m so excited. Alyssa, I know how she plays,” the KingWhale coach said. “I know Creamline is a strong team in the Philippines, so we are challenged. We’ll try because we have young players.”

Valdez will always face some of her ex-teammates who are not playing for the Taipei-based squad.

“They have a different culture and movement when they play. I’m just really happy to welcome them and for the first time, I will play against my former coach in a club league,” she said in Filipino.

“I’m really looking forward for them to enjoy the crowd in the Philippines and their stay.”

The three-time league MVP faced Teng in several international competitions when the Philippine women’s volleyball team battled Taipei, where the latter worked as a coaching staff.