Alyssa Valdez

Alyssa Caymo Valdez
Personal information
Nationality Filipino
Born (1993-06-29) June 29, 1993
Hometown San Juan, Batangas, Philippines
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight 60 kg (130 lb)
College(s) Ateneo de Manila University
Volleyball information
Position Outside Hitter
Current club Bureau of Customs Transformers
Number 2
Career
YearsTeams
2016BaliPure
2016Bureau of Customs
National team
Philippines
Last updated: November 2016

Alyssa Valdez is a Filipino volleyball player. She is a multi-awarded athlete and is considered as one of the best volleyball player in the Philippines today. She was a member of the collegiate varsity volleyball team of Ateneo de Manila University in both indoor and beach volleyball. She the club team PLDT, and the Women's National Volleyball Team of the Philippines.

Alyssa became popular nationwide when she started to play for the Ateneo Lady Eagles. Valdez is the most followed volleyball player in social media, making her one of the sought after endorsers for sports products, gear, and drinks. She is also on the cover of some of the best-selling sports and entertainment magazines in the country and appeared on television as a guest in variety and talk shows or a participant in game shows. She starred in Digital 5's online reality show Phenoms together with Kiefer Ravena.[1] She finished her undergraduate degree major in Psychology in 2015 and is now working on her master's degree in Communications.

Valdez is the reigning Season's MVP of UAAP, and the reigning Conference MVP of both Shakey's V-League Open and Reinforced Conferences.

Volleyball career

Beginnings

Alyssa Valdez was raised in San Juan, Batangas, to parents Ruel, who works in an automobile company, and Pablita, a public school teacher. She's the only girl amongst four siblings. She learned how to play volleyball by playing with her two older brothers when she was in elementary school at the age of 10.

Having developed her volleyball skills, she was chosen to play in the Southern Tagalog (Calabarzon) Athletic Association (STACAA), a regional sports meet for elementary and high school student athletes where she was discovered and recruited by the University of Santo Tomas (UST) to play for their high school varsity volleyball team, the UST Tigress Cubs.[2]

Varsity volleyball

High School - UST Junior Golden Tigresses

Alyssa Valdez's four-year stay in UST was very productive in the field of sports. In her first year in high school, she was selected as a member of the National Capital Region (NCR) team for the Palarong Pambansa, a national sports competition for elementary and secondary students. She was UST's top high school volleyball player who led the España-based team to several championships: three titles in UAAP (Seasons 70-72), and one in National Shakey's Girls' Volleyball League (2009). She was a three-time MVP in UAAP (Season 70-72) and once in Shakey's Girls' Volleyball League (2009).[3]

College - Ateneo Lady Eagle

Alyssa Valdez's student-athlete career reached a higher level during her college years. She ranked multiple individual awards and helped win championship titles for her college team. She was UAAP's 4-time Best Scorer, 3-time Best Server, 3-time Season's MVP, and one-time Final's MVP.

2010-2011 Though enrolled as a freshman student in Ateneo, Valdez had to serve a one-year residency imposed by the University Athletic Association of the Philippines for transferring from a UAAP school to another.[4] During this time, she competed in the International Federal Beach Volleyball Tournament held in China together with Lady Eagle teammate Bea Tan where they finished 7th.[5] She also played as a guest player for Ateneo in two conferences of Shakey's V-League.

The Shakey's V-League Season 7 2nd Conference marked Alyssa's first game appearance with the Lady Eagles in a tournament, as a guest player. This time, she's not yet part of the 1st six. The following Season (Shakey's V-League Season 8 1st Conference), she joined the team again as a guest player and this time as a starter. Valdez won her first V-League gold medal after they beat the defending champions, the Adamson Lady Falcons, in the finals.[6]

2011-2012 The first ever Open Conference of Shakey's V-League was the first tournament where Valdez played as a regular player for Ateneo. She was one of the top scorers of the team. The Lady Eagles was the only collegiate team to enter the Final 4 and finished in 3rd place.[7]

The Lady Eagles joined the 3rd season of Shakey's V-League Season 8 which is the Southeast Asian Club Invitational League. Valdez led the Lady Eagles in beating the club team from Malaysia in the eliminations. She had 27 points in that game.[8]

After serving the mandatory one-year residency rule, thus making her ineligible for the UAAP Rookie of the Year award, Valdez made it to the Lady Eagles roster in the UAAP Season 74 and joined the veteran players Fille Cainglet, Dzi Gervacio, Gretchen Ho, A Nacachi, and Jem Ferrer or collectively known as the Fab 5. She contributed to the team's offense and helped bring the team to the Finals.[9] Ateneo took Game number 1 of the Finals but failed to beat the DLSU Lady Spikers in the next 2 games. In beach volleyball, together with Bea Tan and Fille Cainglet, they finished 2nd place.[10]

In the 1st Conference of Shakey's V-League Season 9, she received her second V-League gold medal and was named the Finals MVP after they defended their title against the UST Tigresses.[11]

2012-2013 In the Open Conference of Shakey's V-League Season 9, Valdez led the Ateneo team and again, they are the only collegiate team to enter the Final 4. The team got the chance to take the bronze after beating the Philippine Army Lady Troopers in 5 sets in the game 1 of the best-of-three battle for bronze. Unfortunately, due to academic reasons, some key players were absent in Game 2 and Philippine Army easily won the 2nd game in straight sets. Series were no longer extended as the Sandugo Lady Conquerors already won the title.[12]

In UAAP Season 75, Valdez set a record for the most number of points scored in a game. She scored 35 points (31 spikes, 3 blocks and 1 service ace) in the second round elimination game against the Adamson Lady Falcons on January 20, 2013. She surpassed the record of former Lady Eagle Charo Soriano which had a career high of 31 points for Ateneo. In the tournament, the standing record before her record breaking performance was 33 points set by an Adamson Lady Falcon, Angela Benting on February 14, 2009.[13] Valdez was named the Best Scorer of the season.[14] Her scoring prowess helped the Ateneo team land again in the Finals but fell short to the defending champions, the DLSU Lady Spikers.

In the 1st Conference of Shakey's V-League Season 10, Valdez got the Best Server award. They were unsuccessful in defending their title after NU Lady Bulldogs beat them in Game 2 and 3 of the Finals.[15]

2013-2014 In UAAP Season 76, Valdez, together with Bea Tan and Michelle Morente, took the bronze medal in beach volleyball. She became the team captain of the Ateneo women's volleyball team for indoor volleyball. She was named the Best Scorer, Best Server and Season's MVP. She also won the Finals MVP award after beating the defending champions, the DLSU Lady Spikers, which had a thrice to beat advantage.[16] Valdez was the first female volleyball athlete to win four awards in one UAAP season.

Valdez got the Best Scorer Award again but this time, in Shakey's V-League (11th Season Open Conference). She set a record for the most number of points scored in the entire conference with total of 342 points. The previous record set was 314 coming from Jaroensri Bualee.[17][18]

2014-2015 Valdez led the Ateneo women's volleyball team, which represented the Philippines, in the 2014 ASEAN University Games held in Palembang, Indonesia and took home the Bronze. That was the first international medal of Valdez.[19]

In UAAP Season 77, Valdez tallied 312 points outscoring her previous season's finish. She was again awarded the Season's MVP, Best Server, and Best Scorer. They successfully defended their title against archrival DLSU Lady Spikers.[20] They finished the season with 16-0 sweep.[21]

In the collegiate conference of Shakey's V-League Season 12, Valdez scored a conference-high 32 points from 26 spikes, one block and five service aces against the CSB Lady Blazers during the elimination round.[22] She was named the 1st Best Outside Spiker and Conference MVP.[23]

After being a reserve last UAAP Season 77, Valdez returned to beach volleyball together with Bea Tan and Jhoana Maraguinot for season 78. They finished the season in second place after falling to DLSU Lady Spikers.[24] 2015 was one of Alyssa's most fruitful years.[25] 2015-2016

Club volleyball

Smart Net Spiker

Valdez surprised the volleyball community when she joined the Smart-Maynilad team in the quarterfinal round of the 2013 Shakey's V-League Season 10 Open Conference. She missed elimination round games due to her commitment with Ateneo in the UAAP beach volleyball.[26] She got the Fittest Player of the Conference special award from one of the conference's sponsors.[27]

PLDT Ultra Fast Hitter

Valdez joined the PLDT Home Ultera Ultra Fast Hitters club team under Coach Roger Gorayeb for Shakey's V-League Season 12 Open Conference.[28] She matched her UAAP record, scoring 35 points from 33 attacks and 2 aces against the Philippine Army Lady Troopers in the semifinal round.[29] She was awarded the 1st Best Outside Spiker and the Conference Most Valuable Player.[30] Valdez won her third Championship medal in Shakey's V-League after PLDT swept the Philippine Army Lady Troopers in the Finals.[31]

In the reinforced conference of Shakey's V-League Season 12, Valdez returned to the PLDT team on game 1 of the finals scoring 25 points from 22 attacks, 2 aces, and 1 block against the Philippine Army Lady Troopers.[32] The team swept the finals and Valdez won her fourth Championship medal and her second Finals Most Valuable Player award in Shakey's V-League.[33]

BaliPure Purest Water Defender

After her UAAP career, Valdez joined the BaliPure Purest Water Defenders for the Shakey's V-League Season 13 Open Conference in a team mostly composed of former Ateneo de Manila Lady Eagles.[34] They won the third place in the Conference.

Bureau of Customs Transformers

After joining the Bali Pure Purest Water Defenders, Alyssa Valdez decided to join the Bureau of Customs Transformers a volleyball team competing in the 13th Shakey's V-League Reinforced Conference, they have a 5-2 record in the Elimination Round. They won against UP, Laoag, UST, Coast Guard and Air Force but lost against Pocari Sweat and Bali Pure. With this 5-2 record the team got the third semifinals slot competing against bali pure and they successfully made it to the finals facing Pocari Sweat lady warriors battling for championship. In the end, they failed which resulted them to 1st runner up only.

International volleyball

National teams

Valdez led the eight placer Youth 16-Under Girls' Philippines National Volleyball Team in the 2008 Asian Youth Championship held in Pasig City, Philippines.[35] In 2013, she became a member of Philippines National Volleyball Team.[36]

Valdez was a member of the Philippine National team that finished in third place in the 2014 FIVB Southeast Asian Zone Qualifier held in Quang Tri, Vietnam.[37]

She was appointed the team captain of the Philippine team for the 2015 Asian U23 Championship.[38] In the 2015 Southeast Asian Games, she was assigned to carry the Philippine flag on the traditional parade of nations held in Singapore.[39]

Clubs

Awards

Individuals

Special Recognitions (from recent to past)

References

  1. Giongco, Mark (11 August 2015). "Ravena, Valdez to star in reality online show 'Phenoms'". Inquirer. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  2. "WATCH: Tunying interviews Ateneo's top spiker Valdez". ABS-CBN News. 27 March 2014. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  3. "UST High cops Shakey's girls volleyball title". The Philippine Star. Manila, Philippines. 13 March 2009. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  4. Perey, Jeremy S.; Villamor, Alexis Ailex C. (7 January 2010). "UAAP piracy turns Tigers into Bulldogs". The Varsitarian. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  5. "Ateneo Lady Eagles' Alyssa Valdez and Bea Tan Placed 7th in Beach Volleyball Tournament". Ballerspinas. 19 July 2011. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  6. "Lady Eagles finally land the big one". The Philippine Star. Manila, Philippines. 18 May 2011. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  7. "Ateneo clinches third place in V-League Open Conference". GMA News Online. 22 September 2011. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  8. Tupas, Cedelf P. (28 October 2011). "V-League: Vietnam whips Army; Ateneo stays alive". Inquirer. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  9. "All eyes on high school phenom in UAAP volleyball". ABS-CBN News. Manila, Philippines. 24 November 2011. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  10. Razon, Chino C. (18 September 2011). "Ateneo falls to UST in final day of beach volleyball competition". The Guidom. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  11. Terrado, Reuben (10 June 2012). "High-flying Lady Eagles take V-League crown". Spin. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  12. Giongco, Mark (18 September 2012). "Sandugo sweeps Cagayan for V-League Open title; First title for Bualee". Inquirer. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  13. "Alyssa Valdez: In Superstar Territory". Pinoy Exchange. 8 February 2013. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  14. "UAAP Volleyball: Marano, Galang named co-MVPs". Rappler. 6 March 2013. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  15. Fopalan, Renee Avena (23 May 2013). "V-League: NU volley-belles bring home individual awards". GMA News. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  16. Flores, Celeste R. (15 March 2014). "Ateneo's Valdez named finals MVP". Inquirer. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  17. Zarate, Noel (28 August 2014). "Shakey's V-League Open Conference Individual Awards (Fearless) Forecasts". Yahoo!. sportZtackle. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  18. Lozada, Mei-Lin (28 August 2014). "Rachel Anne Daquis reinforces PH Army's status as home to V-League MVPs". Spin. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  19. "PH bags volleyball bronze in ASEAN University Games". ABS-CBN News. 15 December 2014. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  20. "Ateneo's Alyssa Valdez is UAAP Season 77 MVP". ABS-CBN News. 15 March 2015. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  21. Camille B., Naredo (27 December 2014). "Ateneo caps perfect season with 2nd straight UAAP title". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  22. Lozada, Mei-Lin (1 August 2015). "Alyssa Valdez scores conference-high 32 as Ateneo Lady Eagles nip CSB Lady Blazers in five". Spin. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  23. Ganglani, Naveen (20 September 2015). "Alyssa Valdez earns another Shakey's V-League MVP award". Rappler. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  24. Lozada, Mei-Lin (21 October 2015). "La Salle's Fajardo-Demecillo pair ousts Lady Eagles to reach UAAP beach volley final". Spin. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  25. Viloria, Barry (4 January 2016). "Proof that 2015 was the Year of Alyssa Valdez". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  26. "Army spoils Valdez's debut in win over Smart". ABS-CBN News. 4 January 2016. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  27. Lozada, Mei-Lin (22 September 2013). "Valdez propels Smart over Air Force in V-League quarterfinals". Spin. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  28. Tupas, Cedelf P. (27 March 2015). "Valdez is biggest PLDT gem". Inquirer. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  29. Jurado, Theodore P. (17 May 2015). "PLDT moves closer to finals with hard-earned win over Army". Journal. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  30. Lozada, Bong (24 May 2015). "Valdez claims V-League MVP". Inquirer. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  31. "PLDT outlasts Army to claim V-League crown". ABS-CBN News. 31 May 2015. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  32. "Returning Valdez lifts PLDT past Army in V-League finals game 1". Inquirer. 28 November 2015. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  33. Escarlote, Mark (6 December 2015). "PLDT snatches V-League Reinforced Conference title". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  34. "Bali Pure enlists Valdez, other Ateneo aces". The Philippine Star. 20 May 2016. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  35. "RP to host Asian Youth Girls? Volleyball". GMA Network. Manila, Philippines. 18 September 2008. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  36. Terrado, Reuben (3 June 2013). "Santiago sisters, Valdez lead V-League selection to world championship qualifiers". Spin. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  37. Leyba, Olmin (10 March 2014). "Valdez, Fronda lead top female best". The Philippine Star. Manila, Philippines. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  38. "Alyssa Valdez leads Philippine team in Rebisco Asian U-23 Women's Volleyball Championship". InterAksyon. 30 April 2015. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  39. Escarlote, Mark (15 April 2015). "Valdez officially named as PHI Team's Singapore SEA Games flag-bearer". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  40. "Alyssa Valdez accepts Popular Sports Personality award at 2016 Push Awards". ABS-CBN News. 20 October 2016. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
  41. Lozada, Mei-Lin (2016). "Spin.ph Top 10 Sports Heroes of 2015: Alyssa Valdez, the Game Changer". Spin. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
  42. "Valdez is PSA Ms. Volleyball for third straight time; Abueva and Romeo co-named Mr. Basketball". ABS-CBN News. 20 January 2016. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
  43. Yap, Tim (23 August 2015). "29 women so bright & beautiful". The Philippine Star. Manila, Philippines. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
  44. "PSA to honor Valdez as back-to-back Ms. Volleyball". ABS-CBN News. 22 January 2015. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
  45. "Best of 2014 Pexers Choice Awards". Pinoy Exchange. 2014. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
  46. "Alyssa Valdez Is A "Woman of Style and Substance"". The Digital Spy. 26 August 2014. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
  47. "Peru's Angela Leyva named 2013 World Volleyball Idol". Andina. Lima, Peru. 10 February 2014. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
  48. "PSA to fete Miss Volleyball, Mr. Football". The Philippine Star. Manila, Philippines. 19 January 2014. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
  49. "#BestOf2013: Winners of the Rappler Social Media Awards". Rappler. 15 October 2013. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
  50. "V-League: Jovelyn Gonzaga named Season 10 Open Conference MVP". GMA Network. 15 October 2013. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
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