Creamline to miss Valdez in AVC campaign

MANILA, Philippines — Alyssa Valdez, the heart and soul of Rebisco Philippines, will not see action in the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Cup unfolding tomorrow at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City due to dengue.

Sources said Valdez is currently confined in a hospital and is being treated for the disease she may have contracted during a recent vacation in Palawan with celebrity friends.

Valdez was notably absent in the team’s recent photo shoot.

“Alyssa is hospitalized because of dengue and she will be out for the whole of the AVC Cup,” the source told The STAR yesterday.

Valdez and 13 other Creamline players earned the right to represent the country in the nine-day event after topping the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Invitational Conference less than a week ago.

Valdez isn’t the only one that may miss the event that drew participation from nine countries including regional powerhouses China, Japan, Korea and Thailand.

There were reports that coach Sherwin Meneses and setter Jia de Guzman could also be out due to health protocols.

But if things improve following followup tests tomorrow, Meneses and De Guzman could make it in time for the event.

But Valdez would be out for the whole duration of the tournament.

There were reports that Choco Mucho’s Kat Tolentino is being eyed as replacement for Valdez.

“So far they’re trying to add Kat (Tolentino) but they only have until this afternoon (yesterday),” said the source.

The other members of the team are Tots Carlos, Jema Galanza, Risa Sato, Ced Domingo, Jeanette Panaga, Michele Gumabao, Ella de Jesus, Pau Soriano, Kyla Atienza, Kyle Negrito, Rose Vargas and Fille Cayetano.