Alyssa Valdez expressed pride and gratitude after being named one of the ambassadors for the 2025 FIVB Men's World Championship, calling the role a “full circle” moment in her volleyball journey.
Alyssa Valdez added another milestone to her storied volleyball career as she was officially named one of the ambassadors for the upcoming 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship in the Philippines.
Valdez was introduced alongside fellow ambassador Bryan Bagunas during the Alas Pilipinas Invitationals press conference held at Novotel Manila.
“Very, very happy and proud to be one of the ambassadors with Bryan and Eya,” said Valdez. “Volleyball has been a huge part of my life and it’s parang full circle having this opportunity to share the floor and be one of the ambassadors here in the Men’s World Championship.”
The Creamline Cool Smashers superstar expressed optimism about the steady rise of men’s volleyball in the country, pointing to the recent growth in both local and collegiate tournaments.
“Definitely. I think this Invitational is a testament that we’re a really big volleyball community here in the Philippines,” she said. “Based on the last finals in the UAAP and from the Spikers’ Turf finals, nakakaproud talaga. It’s just so nice na ganon ‘yung track na tinatahak din ng men’s volleyball.”
Bagunas, who is also one of the faces of the national men’s team and a fellow FIVB World Championship ambassador, had nothing but praise for Valdez’s inclusion.
“For me, kapag volleyball kasi, syempre iniisip agad natin si Ly,” he said. “Talagang malaking bagay yung nai-ambag niya sa Philippine volleyball. Masasabi ko na isa siya sa nagangat or nagpasikat ng volleyball dito sa Pilipinas.”
The 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship will be hosted by the Philippines for the first time from September 12 to 28, with games set to be played at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and SM Mall of Asia Arena.