Alyssa Valdez hurts ankle, skips SEA Grand Prix

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine women’s volleyball team will be without its top two players when it sees action in the Southeast Asian Grand Prix scheduled Sept. 20-22 in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.

Alyssa Valdez yesterday joined Jaja Santiago in begging off from the Nationals’ overseas trip after spraining her left ankle during practice of her Premier Volleyball League team Creamline last Friday.

Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas, Inc. (LVPI) president Joey Romasanta confirmed the news after he received a medical certificate from Valdez’ camp.

“Eya Laure will fill in for her (Valdez),” said Romasanta.

Valdez was the third member who passed up the trip next to Santiago and Fil-Am setter Iris Tonelada, who were not allowed by their respective club teams to join due to conflict of schedule.

Valdez, however, remained committed to suiting up in the SEA Games tentatively set at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in December.

The team is composed of Fil-Ams Kalei Mau and Alohi Robins-Hardy, skipper Aby Maraño, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Jia Morado, Maddie Madayag, Eya Laure, Ces Molina, Dawn Macandili, Mylene Paat, Majoy Baron, Aiza Pontillas, Kath Arado, Tolenada and Roselyn Doria.

Shaq delos Santos is head coach.

Most of the pool members have already left for Korat last week while Valdez, Morado, Madayag and Gonzaga – still with commitments to their PVL mother teams – are supposed to join the team today.

It was not to be though for Valdez, a former SEAG flag-bearer.