The Phenom will carry the country’s flag in the biennial meet for the second time in her career.
The true leader and team-first player that she is, Alyssa Valdez looked to the people, specifically women, around her when she got the nod to become the Philippines’ flag bearer once again for the Southeast Asian Games.
The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), which is sending a female-dominated delegation to the opening ceremony of the biennial meet, announced Valdez’s flag-bearing duties on Tuesday.
The former PVL MVP knows being the flag bearer means she is just representing the marvelous female talent in the contingent, and even those who are not in Cambodia.
“I share this with all the women in sports who brought honor and glory to the country,” said Valdez, who first had the opportunity to carry the flag in the 2015 edition of the games in Singapore.
“It’s such an honor to be the flag bearer for this year’s SEA games. It’s a big responsibility but I’m grateful for the trust given to me once again,” added the Ateneo De Manila University alum.
POC president Bambol Tolentino said Valdez was the clear-cut choice.
“Alyssa best fits our goal of an almost all-female delegation in the opening ceremony,” said Tolentino.
“She’s not only the face of Philippine volleyball, but Philippine sports as well."
Tolentino and Philippines' chef de mission Chito Loyzaga are the only men who will join the Philippines’ female-dominated representation in the parade of nations on Friday at the Morodok Techo Stadium in Phnom Penh.. The former lawmaker said this is “a first in SEA Games history.”