Alyssa Valdez debuted in the ASEAN Volleyball Grand Prix with a bang after helping power the Philippine team to a 23-21, 25-23, 25-21 victory over Vietnam at the start of the second leg at the Sta. Rosa Multi-Purpose gym in Laguna.
Valdez fired 14 points built on 12 kills and two aces for the Nationals in this three-day affair serving as a test event for the 30th Southeast Asian Games slated late next month.
The win reaffirmed the Filipina spikers’ mastery over the Vietnamese in the Grand Prix after beating them in five sets in the inaugural leg two weeks ago in Nakhon Ratchassima, Thailand.
Mylena Paat supported the Nationals with 13 points while Ces Molina smashed 11 of her 13 points on attacks.
Jia Morado provided variety of plays for the PH team and ended up with 17 excellent sets, while Dawn Macandili took charge of the floor defense with 22 digs.
Valdez missed the first leg due to an ankle injury.
She, however, will miss Saturday’s match against powerhouse Thailand along with Morado, Jovelyn Gonzaga and Maddie Madayag due to their club commitments.
Majoy Baron finished with nine points for the PH team while skipper Aby Maraño and Gonzaga merged for 10 points.
Vietnam remained winless in the tournament.
