WINNING the Ms. Volleyball award was not only an honor for Ateneo de Manila’s Alyssa Valdez but also a big responsibility.
The graduating Lady Eagles star bagged the award for the third straight year during Saturday’s Philippine Sportwriters Association (PSA) Awards 2016 at One Esplanade in Pasay City.
“I’m so happy, of course, and thankful to all the people who believed not only in me but also in volleyball, which is really recognized now,” Valdez said. “So I hope it’s not the last.”
But the volleyball phenom added the award also came with great responsibility, as she wants to be an inspiration to people.
“Getting an award like this is really a big responsibility for me to inspire other people and to perform well also,” she said.
“But as much as I feel that pressure, I want this award to be my inspiration and motivation to perform better and to polish all the skills that I can improve on.”
Valdez had another breakout year in 2015, leading Ateneo to a 16-game sweep to win their second consecutive University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) title.
She also bagged her second straight UAAP Most Valuable Player (MVP) award and was named the tournament’s best scorer (third time) and best server (second).
In Shakey’s V-League Season 12, Valdez was crowned as Conference MVP and First Best Outside Spiker in the Open and Collegiate Conferences. Then she was the Finals MVP in their Reinforced Conference title.
Valdez was also the flag-bearer of the country in the 28th Southeast Asian Games in Singapore.
Valdez’s focus now is her farewell season in the UAAP, as she tries to lead the Lady Eagles to a third straight crown.
“I’m focusing in UAAP right now, then let’s see what’s gonna happen after UAAP,” Valdez said.
