Valdez hopes to fully recover for SEA Games

AS the 32nd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Cambodia draw closer and closer, volleyball superstar Alyssa Valdez hopes to fully recover from her right knee injury to join the Creamline players-filled Philippine women’s volleyball team in the biennial event slated from May 5 to May 17.

Valdez missed the entire PVL All-Filipino Conference as she recuperates from the injury she sustained during the Reinforced Conference last December.

Valdez’s Creamline teammates, however, managed to get the job done as the Cool Smashers turned back the Petro Gazz Angels 2-1 to win the best-of-three All-Filipino championship series on Thursday, March 30, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

“I’m getting closer to full recovery. Hopefully, I’m really close. My doctors, PTs (physical therapists), and coaches also really want me back 100 percent so I really have to be patient and trust the process,” said Valdez after Creamline bagged its sixth PVL crown on Thursday.

“There’s always a chance [of me playing in the SEA Games] and even if it’s small, I’ll grab it to help the national team in whatever way possible. If I get called and if I’m ready to go, I’ll be there for the team.”

Six other Creamline players — Jia de Guzman, Tots Carlos, Jema Galanza, Michele Gumabao, Celine Domingo and Kyla Atienza — have been named to the national team.

Should Valdez get the clearance to play in the biennial meet in May, it would be the fifth straight time that she will represent the Philippine flag in the SEA Games.

“I’m really recovering well and hopefully we’ll see each other on the court ASAP. Let’s keep praying not just for me but also for other players who recently got injured — Leila Cruz from La Salle was injured so we’re praying for her fast recovery as well,” she said.