Philippine volleyball icon Alyssa Valdez. Photo from PVL Images.MANILA — Philippine volleyball icon Alyssa Valdez is set to represent the country again in one of the sport’s biggest stages.
The Ateneo de Manila University legend will not be seeing action, but Valdez is set to serve as one of the ambassadors for the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship 2025 which the country will be hosting in September.
“I’m very, very happy and proud to be one of the ambassadors,” said the Creamline Cool Smashers star during the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF)’s press conference on Monday in Quezon City.
“You know, volleyball has been a huge part of my life, and it’s a full circle, having this opportunity to share and be one of the ambassadors,” she added.
Valdez will be joining her fellow stars Bryan Bagunas and Eya Laure as ambassadors for the world championships.
And for Bagunas, having Valdez on board will further elevate and promote the historic hosting of the Philippines.
“Pag volleyball, maiisip talaga natin si Alyssa,” said Bagunas. “Malaking bagay siya sa Philippine volleyball. Isa siya sa nag angat or nagpasikat ng volleyball sa Pilipinas, so we’re proud and happy na nandito siya. Kailangan siya talaga.”
As a part of the 100-day countdown to the main event, the Philippines will be hosting the Alas Pilipinas Invitationals from June 10 to 12, a short tournament that will feature the men’s national team competing with guests from Indonesia, Thailand, and Korea.
For Valdez, the invitationals will not only be a good set of friendlies for Alas Men’s. The hosting is also a testament to how the sport has progressed not only in the women’s side, but also in the men’s division.
“I think this Invitational is a testament that we’re a really big volleyball community,” she said. “It’s just so nice to cap it off also with a World Championship. Based on the last finals in the UAAP, from the Spiker Turf finals din, nakakaproud talaga.”
“It’s just so nice na ganon yung track na tinatahak din ng men’s volleyball. It’s really slowly, gradually, but surely improving for men’s volleyball and the volleyball community. Not just indoor, but also with beach volleyball,” she added.
The Alas Invitationals will be held at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, while the FIVB men’s world championship is set from September 12 to 28.
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