Alyssa Valdez 'overwhelmed, excited' in return to international stage

Emotions ran high for Alyssa Valdez after marking her return to the international stage, saying she never imagined to represent the flag once more two years after her last national team stint. 

The decorated outside spiker powered Creamline to a triumphant opener in the 2025 AVC Champions League as they eked out a 29-27, 25-20, 25-19 win over Al Naser of Jordan. 

Valdez admitted representing the country again brings a mix of emotions, but above all, it fills her with pride.

The last time Valdez bannered the country was in 2023, when she joined current Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses in the Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia, where the nationals fell just short of a podium by finishing fourth overall. 

"Very overwhelming for me, just because I think it never crossed my mind to represent again the Philippines in any competition. But we'll take this, not just me, but the whole Creamline Cool Smashers because we're here because of the whole team din," Valdez said after finishing with 10 points, five receptions, and three digs. 

"[I'm] very overwhelmed but very excited and very happy to be able to represent. It's been a while since 2023, I'm with coach Sherwin also back in Cambodia."

Valdez said she's just cherishing the moment and hopes to give the country a great fight as it hosts the maiden Champions League originally slated to be hosted by Korea. 

"It's nice to be given that opportunity and the only thing we could do is to bring honor and pride to the country all the time."

—JKC, GMA Integrated News