Will the host nation field multiple naturalized players as well?
If given a choice, Alyssa Valdez would have shared the flag-bearing duties with the rest of the women delegates of the Philippines—many of whom have won multiple medals—to the Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia.
“Kung puwede lang kaming sabay-sabay maglakad, tulong-tulong kami to really carry that flag, we will do that,” Valdez told One Sports at the parade of nations that officially kicked off the games last Friday.
The Philippines’ volleyball icon and national team captain is aware that she has yet to bring home a SEA Games medal to the country. This year, the Filipina spikers are going all out once again to pursue that podium finish.
Winning a medal in Phnom Penh will definitely ease the pain of finishing fourth in the past three editions of the biennial meet. And they get to start the medal campaign on Tuesday against host country, Cambodia, which is joining the women’s indoor volleyball for the first time.
Valdez, who is representing the Philippines in her fifth SEA Games, is banking on their hunger and chemistry to leave their mark.
Majority of the national team members, after all, are from Valdez’s pro club, the Creamline Cool Smashers. They are also playing under the tutelage of coach Jorge Edson Souza de Brito, whom Valdez has played for before.
“I’m gonna be with most of my club teammates, second time with Coach Jorge and his system. We’re very much excited,” said Valdez.
“Dala-dala namin 'yung excitement na 'yun na mabigyan namin ng magandang laban lahat ng nasa bracket namin and hopefully we can move forward to the second round," added The Phenom.
Catch Valdez and the rest of Team Philippines go up against Cambodia at 8:30 p.m. tonight on One Sports and One Sports+.
(With reports from Paolo Del Rosario, One Sports)