It was what fans wanted all this time. And they got it.
No one could have written a better script.
After missing the first two matches in the Southeast Asian Games women’s indoor volleyball tournament, Alyssa Valdez finally saw action for the Philippines, albeit sparingly, to the delight of her legion of fans.
Fans had always wanted to see The Phenom, widely considered the face of Philippine women's volleyball, play again since suffering a knee injury last December. After two games in the biennial meet, they even took to Twitter to urge coach Jorge Edson Souza de Brito to field in Valdez.
They finally got it.
Even more fitting was the three-time PVL MVP capping off the 25-17, 25-14, 25-13 win over Singapore with a through-the-block shot against two defenders in Phnom Penh.
Valdez’s teammates swarmed her inside the court and gave her the love she deserved after the game-winning shot.
More importantly, the country will march on to the semifinals with a 2-1 record in the group phase.
Now, things are bound to get even tougher for the Filipino spikers as they will face Pool A leader Thailand in the semifinals.
The game is on May 13. Will the fans see more of Valdez then?
(MDB)