By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — Here’s a piece of good news for legion of Alyssa Valdez’s fanatics.
The face of the sport since her Ateneo days, Valdez will be in the rotation when the Nationals go against the heavyweights in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games, starting with Vietnam Wednesday.
Against the lowly hosts, there was no need for Valdez as the Nationals romped to a
25-5, 25-5, 25-5 victory.
PH team’s Brazilian coach Jorge De Brito said the 29-year-old outside hitter is ready to play in the biennial meet, saying: “She’s actually doing really well in rehab.”
De Brito said they opted not to use Valdez in their match against Cambodia to give her enough rest for the upcoming matches as she has been training a lot in the morning.
Valdez has not competed for the past months after sustaining a knee injury in December. She underwent a procedure for her knee last February.
After Vietnam on Wednesday, the Nationals will then face Singapore on Thursday, May 11.
“It depends on tomorrow (Wednesday). But for sure, tomorrow I will have all 14 players available,” De Brito said.
Valdez, meanwhile, said she’s been doing well so far.
“I’ve been listening to my coaches, my therapists, sa doctors and I’m doing pretty well naman in practice,” she said.
“I’m really trusting my coaches, kung ano ang ipapagawa nila samin. We really trust this team kung ano yung mangyayari.”
