Now that's an all-around player!
Alyssa Valdez really can do it all.
With the Creamline Cool Smashers' semifinal match in the PVL Invitational Conference on the line last Thursday, coach Sherwin Meneses tried to do something different.
It was the fourth set, 29-28, in favor of Creamline. The Cool Smashers were hanging on by a thread. A set win would give the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers the match, having bagged a 2-1 advantage.
Meneses fielded no setters on the court—ready to block and receive any attacks that might come their way.
Ced Domingo served and Dawn Macandili-Catindig sent it to Kim Fajardo. It was a bit too close to the net, so the Cargo Movers couldn't do much but toss it to the other side.
With a chance ball, Tots Carlos gently made a reception... for Alyssa Valdez.
The Phenom easily made the set to Jema Galanza, who threw it off the block to force a fifth set.
Twitter went nuts.
Valdez, an award-winning spiker in the PVL, is also very skilled in floor defense.
She can also provide valuable input on the sidelines.
Pwede rin maging coach!
Seems like top setter Jia de Guzman gave Ate Ly some pointers in playmaking too.
Maybe they got inspired by Team Japan when Creamline came to watch the Volleyball Nations League?
Coach Sherwin though had a simple reason with his wily move.
"Alyssa is Alyssa," he said in the post-match press conference.
Creamline will return to action on Saturday in the round-robin semifinals against the Cignal HD Spikers.