Valdez, PH volleybelles stay positive despite ‘frustrating’ losses

NAKHON Ratchasima, Thailand — Even for somebody who has a winsome, cheery disposition, Alyssa Valdez still got “very frustrated” after Team Philippines dropped “winnable” matches against Australia and Iran.

Valdez, who unloaded a total of 49 points in those games, said the whole team felt bad about the losses but stated that they’re taking it as a challenge to work harder.

“It’s really frustrating because we knew that the games are winnable because they reached fifth sets,” she said in Filipino. “Everyone felt bad but I think we’re all professionals and we take it as a challenge and make it a positive thing.”

The Philippines was to face Kazakhstan late Tuesday afternoon in its last match in the preliminaries.

“Maybe God is telling us to give it some more, that it’s gonna be sweeter if we put in more heart in our games,” Valdez told the Inquirer.

The Philippines was leading two sets to none against Australia, and two sets to one against Iran in its first two matches in the ongoing Asian Volleyball Confederation Asian Cup here.

On both occasions, Valdez said the team lacked the finishing kick.

She said it was simply because the other teams were playing together for a long time, compared to the Philippines which is just starting to get the hang of international competitions after years of absence.

“Like Australia they are together for a long time, they have the endgame,” she added. “Iran, it’s the same team we faced in U-23 (Asian juniors), they are still intact up to now. We were together for a few months.”

She said that as a team they will need more time to bond, and “overcome this hump.”

“It’s not an issue that we are playing separately back home, because we see each other and train together thrice a week,” said Valdez. “We would know the system of coach Shaq (Delos Santos).”

The team is composed of players from different club teams from the often competing Philippine Superliga and the Premier Volleyball League.

“We need time to know what’s the strengths and weaknesses of each other because it’s crucial in the endgame so we would know how to make adjustments,” she added.