THE season has been cruel to Alyssa Valdez. The former Ateneo de Manila star wound up without a championship in 2016.
Valdez could not bring the magic she weaved in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines with the Bureau of Customs Transformers, losing to Pocari Sweat in Game Two, 14-25, 10-25, 25-22, 23-25, of the best-of-three Finals series of the recent Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Reinforced Conference.
Valdez was in tears when blue and white confettis, the colors of Pocari Sweat, rained down from the rafters of the PhilSports Arena before a huge Monday crowd.
She failed to receive Desiree Dadang’s service that clinched the crown for Pocari Sweat.
“Even though you give it your best, you are not assured of a positive result,” said Valdez, who was limited to only 10 points in Game Two. “Of course, who wanted to lose a championship match.”
Valdez was also in her elements last season but was luckier as she helped lead her former team, PLDT Home Ultera, to a golden double.
As a consolation, a major one, Valdez bagged her third Most Valuable Player trophy in the V-League, the same number of MVP titles she won in her UAAP career that was highlighted by back-to-back Ateneo championships—until they were foiled by the De La Salle Lady Spikers last season.
But the crowd darling from Batangas remained grateful of her blessings.
“How heavy was it? You feel it’s that heavy when your teammates, your fans and coaches are supporting you all the way,” Valdez said. “But it’s a matter of how you recover at the end of the day. And I think I’m really lucky to have a good support system. We’re all blessed, after all.”
The runner-up finish with debuting team Customs would not be the end for Valdez.
“It doesn’t stop here,” Valdez, also the first Best Outside Spiker of the conference, said. “For a first-timer in the Finals, being a new team, you get to feel the pressure. Perhaps, this is a motivation and inspiration for me, my teammates and the team to excel in the coming season.”