Alyssa Valdez reveals what she was praying for prior to fifth set of Creamline's title-clincher versus Choco Mucho

Team captain Alyssa Valdez wasn't always part of the starters for the Creamline Cool Smashers throughout the PVL Second All-Filipino Conference.

It got to the point that some fans voiced their dissatisfaction on social media, urging Valdez to move to another team.

Kapag si alyssa nasa bench ( lipat niyo nalang siya sayang talent binabangko lang) Same kay Mg( lipat nalang hindi nagagamit) Pati kay sato , kay jema at tots. Ganyan nalang talaga always lalo na kapag na bench sila HAHAHAHAHHA sanayan nalang talaga 😂

— Sammy🥀 (@Smnt_als) November 14, 2023

I think Alyssa Valdez deserves a chance to have a 2nd wind sa kanyang Volleyball career. Personally I believe may igagaling pa siya, but mukhang di na possible sa CCS. Lipat sana siya under coach Taka system #PVL2023

— Re-Doi (@doiremi) November 14, 2023

Sinasayang lang nila ang isang Alyssa Valdez...lipat na lang c Ly isama nia katol, den and Bea or bumuo ng bagong team. Nakaka inis lang c coach Sherwin

— Xandra (@Xandra9999) October 21, 2023

But really, as it turned out, it was all part of coach Sherwin Meneses' system.

Valdez was activated as a starter throughout the semifinals and the finals.

She even fired four straight points in Game 1 of the finals to take Set 3 against the Choco Mucho Flying Titans.

In Game 2, with Sisi Rondina forcing a fifth set as part of her 33-point explosion, Valdez was called back to the court. 

"I was actually talking to myself, kasi siyempre 'di ka na naka-warm up nun. (I was) helping, shouting, instructing other teammates," she explained to One Sports' The Game on Monday.

Valdez started in the first set and got subbed in the fourth before playing the whole fifth frame.

"Pinagpe-pray ko nun 'yung tuhod ko (na sana) mainit pa, (because it's) very prone to injuries as well," Valdez admitted. "'Yun lang pinagdarasal ko."

It took a huge chunk of the year for the 30-year-old spiker to recover from a knee injury she suffered in the 2022 PVL Reinforced Conference. Creamline only won the bronze that tournament. 

But there was one thing that fired up Valdez when she stepped on the court for the final set against Choco Mucho.

"Nakita ko 'yung eyes ng teammates ko, they really want to win. (Sabi ko) 'Sige, let's do it'," Valdez said. "'Pag nakita ko sila all fired up, madadala ako nun. All heart lang talaga."

So it was only fitting that it was Ate Ly who delivered the championship point for Creamline.

The Cool Smashers are back on the top, undefeated, with their seventh PVL title.

Of course, the inimitable Valdez proved she's right where she belongs. 

Watch the whole interview here:

(PM)