PVL: Alyssa Valdez embraces new role in Creamline’s latest title
Creamline Cool Smashers’ Alyssa Valdez celebrates after winning the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference championship. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines —With Creamline on the verge of winning the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference title, Alyssa Valdez was subbed in to serve, and amid the roar of 17,358 fans at Smart Araneta Coliseum, she calmly delivered.
Her service forced Tin Tiamzon into a diving save before Gel Cayuna set up Vanie Gandler, as Tots Carlos finished off the championship-clinching block in Creamline’s 25-23, 22-25, 25-16, 16-25, 15-11 win over Cignal in Game 2 for its 11th PVL crown.
WATCH: Alyssa Valdez relishes Creamline’s 11th championship, praises Cignal MVP Vanie Gandler. #PVL2026 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/erU493O3yX
— INQUIRER Sports (@inquirersports) April 23, 2026
Valdez may have played a limited role in the Finals, but she embraced her position as she continued to lead the Cool Smashers in her own way as a leader.
“I just really wanna enjoy playing volleyball. At this point in my career, I wanna prove–not to other people, but to myself–that I’m here because I still want it and I still have it. Other than that, I’m just very, very happy to all my teammates and everyone who stepped up for the Cool Smashers,” said Valdez in Filipino.
Creamline Cool Smashers’ Alyssa Valdez celebrate after winning the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference championship. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
The three-time MVP said Creamline’s toughest title run yet—featuring two do-or-die matches en route to the semifinals and Finals—proved how battle-tested Creamline is.
“I’d say this Creamline team is very seasoned. We went through so many struggles this conference, but because we’re veterans, we were able to really talk things through and figure out what we needed to do. From the coaches to the staff, everyone contributed. Our finals didn’t just happen on the court. It started in practice. Everyone worked for this,” Valdez said.
READ: PVL: Alyssa Valdez, Creamline out to prove worth in finals return
After Creamline missed the Finals in the past three conferences and lost last year’s All-Filipino crown, Valdez said this championship “redefined” the team.
“Honestly, it feels like we went back to our roots. It had been a while since we last won a championship, so our mindset was to rediscover ourselves and bring back the joy of playing volleyball,” Valdez said.
Valdez, who put on vintage games to help Creamline survive the preliminary round without Jema Galanza and Bernadeth Pons, said she is grateful to share another title with her teammates and fans.
“Honestly, we were talking about it earlier with Michele Gumabao. We feel very blessed that the volleyball community is still like this. We still get to experience it. You never really get used to it. It actually makes you more nervous, but also more inspired, hearing and seeing all the cheers,” she said.
