CANDON, Ilocos Sur — The fantasy of longtime volleyball fans has finally been realized as Ara Galang and Alyssa Valdez — once rivals in the UAAP — teamed up together in this year’s iteration of Alas Pilipinas.
Galang and Valdez, who came from rival schools — De La Salle University and Ateneo de Manila University — were once intense warriors for their collegiate squads, which lasted for five long seasons.
Their rivalry saw interchanging championship UAAP titles, with La Salle winning Seasons 74, 75, and 78, and Ateneo emerging triumphant in Seasons 76 and 77.
Valdez anchored Ateneo's legendary run in Season 76, where they toppled the unbeaten Lady Spikers in the finals despite being at a "thrice-to-beat" disadvantage.
Season 77 saw Ateneo complete a perfect 16-0 season, sweeping La Salle in the finals. That campaign was doubly painful for Galang, who suffered a knee injury in the step-ladder semifinals that kept her from suiting up in the championship round.
But she returned in Season 78 and denied Valdez a storybook ending to her glittering collegiate career, instead essaying her own comeback story by helping La Salle return to the pinnacle of UAAP volleyball.
As they share the taraflex by donning the national tri-colors, Galang and Valdez, who are also both former UAAP MVPs, said they are honored to share the court.
“Siyempre, kami rin happy, after a long time tsaka hindi naman namin expected. Siguro nga, destined ngayon, thankful ako na nakasama ko siya (Alyssa Valdez) sa team, sa national team pa,” said Galang after Alas' 16-25, 18-25, 22-25 loss to South Korea on Tuesday at the Candon City Arena.
READ: AVC: Alas Pilipinas succumbs to South Korea, absorbs second loss
“Alam mo I think late man ‘to sa career namin, pero I think it’s the right time talaga. It’s the right time to actually inspire each other more towards the latter part of our careers,” said Valdez.
“So, napakasaya rin makasama talaga si Ara Galang. Iba ‘yung fire nito, talagang makikita mo na lalaban talaga,” the former Ateneo stalwart added.
The huge task still remains — snatching a semifinals spot in the 2026 AVC Women's Cup presented by the PSC, FIVB, AVC, Volleyball World and Candon City headed by Mayor Eric Singson.
However, their chances are not fully on their hands anymore, as their fates are also leaning on the remaining results of Pool A phase.
But for the veterans Galang and Valdez, there’s no turning back as they aim a huge win over Chinese Taipei this Thursday.
“Best effort pa rin, bigay lang namin ‘yung best namin, ‘yung makakaya namin,” said Galang.
“Ang dami naming natutunan, pinagaralan, so sana buong puso naming haharapin namin ‘yung laban namin sa Thursday,” said Valdez.