Valdez: It’s for the young players

CANDON CITY, Ilocos Sur, Philippines — It was for the young ones after all.

“It wasn’t really for us, this is really for the younger players,” said an emotional Alas Pilipinas captain Alyssa Valdez moments after they succumbed to Iran, 25-21, 25-12, 25-21, in the AVC Women’s Volleyball Cup at the Candon Sports Arena here yesterday.

The setback sent the Filipinas to an eighth-place finish while the Iranians ended up seventh in this 12-team tournament.

It wasn’t that bad for a squad formed just less than a month after most of the members of the previous team backed out.

Valdez led those who answered the call and made a fighting  stand in this nine-day tournament made possible by the efforts of Candon City Mayor Eric Singson, the Philippine Sports Commission and AVC.

Valdez hoped the program would continue, even if it’s just for the green horns.

“I just hope the program will continue,” she said.

The former SEA Games flag-bearer said she didn’t regret taking the cudgels when the unwilling turned their backs on the team.

“One thing I realized all throughout this experience, I also asked myself why I made this decision at this moment in my volleyball career and one thing that came out, it was my love for the game when I was still young,” she said.

“Nothing beats that,” she added.

As for another battle-scarred star in Jovelyn Gonzaga, this may be her last dance with the national team.

“I’m thankful I finished my last game for the national team in indoor,” she said.

While it may be the swan song for some, life goes on for the national team as there were whispers that players like Alyssa Solomon, Nina Ytang, Natalie Estreller and Lara Mae Silva have been reportedly given three-year contracts by Alas’ team sponsor Strong Group Athletics.

“I’m just really grateful for the opportunity,” said Ytang.