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Why Alyssa wants to play in Thailand

Camille B. Nared, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img figcaption="" src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/sports/01/10/alyssa-011017.jpg"/><div class="embed-desc">Alyssa Valdez is set to fly to Thailand on January 15. Arvin Lim, <a href="http://http://sports.abs-cbn.com/volleyball/photos">ABS-CBN Sports</a> Handout photo</div></figure></div>MANILA, Philippines – Alyssa Valdez anticipates a period of adjustment when she embarks on the next chapter of her volleyball career – suiting up for the 3BB Nakornnont in the Thailand League.Valdez, a three-time UAAP Most Valuable Player who led the Ateneo de Manila University to two championships, confirmed in late December that she has been given an opportunity by 3BB Nakornnont.She is set to fly to Thailand on January 15 and begin training with her new club. She is expected to suit up for 3BB Nakornnont when they return to action in the Thailand League on January 29.&quot;Dream ko din na makapag-laro internationally,&quot; said Valdez, who has won several titles and individual awards in the V-League while also representing the country in several regional tournaments.&quot;I think, as an athlete, you really want to push yourself to the limit,&quot; she added. &quot;One way to do it is to make a decision na out of your comfort zone, which (for me) is going to Thailand and trying it there.&quot;<ul class="op-related-articles" title="Read">	<li>READ: <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/generalsports/news/2016/12/31/heads-up-10-sporting-events-watch-2017-19851">10 sporting events to watch out for in 2017 </a></li></ul>In 3BB Nakornnont, Valdez will reunite with two of her former teammates in Bureau of Customs – Natthanica Jaisaen and Kanjana Kuthaisong. The two served as the Transformers&#x27; imports in the V-League Season 13 Reinforced Conference, where they made it all the way to the Finals but lost to Pocari Sweat in the championship round.During the tournament, Valdez served as a gracious host to her Thai teammates. She reportedly invited them to her hometown of Batangas during a brief break in competition for All Saints Day. This time around, the shoe is on the other foot.&quot;I feel like, siyempre, I&#x27;m a liability for them din talaga,&quot; said Valdez. &quot;So ita-try ko din na mag-adjust.&quot;In this regard, she already has a head start. Valdez went to Thailand in December to try to learn the language. &quot;I think that&#x27;s the biggest adjustment – kailangan ko muna i-survive &#x27;yung language barrier,&quot; she said.&quot;If we&#x27;re gonna talk about volleyball, may common language naman kami,&quot; she added. &quot;But definitely, the technicalities siguro… like &#x27;yung mga plays nila, they call it differently lang.&quot;&quot;So I really have to adapt sa mga ganoong minor adjustments.&quot;Valdez is used to being the No. 1 option for her teams. This has been her role for much of her volleyball career, from University of Santo Tomas in high school, to Ateneo in college, and to the various commercial teams she played for in the V-League.In 3BB Nakornnont, however, she is unsure of her role. &quot;They didn&#x27;t say naman kung ano &#x27;yung hinihingi nila (sa akin),&quot; said Valdez, who was a four-time Best Scorer in the UAAP. &quot;Siguro, hindi lang nila masabi sa akin.&quot;&quot;But hopefully naman, ma-meet ko &#x27;yung expectations nila,&quot; she added.Valdez herself does not seem to be putting too much pressure on herself with regards to her stint in 3BB Nakornnont. She knows that the level of volleyball in Thailand is higher than in the Philippines, and she knows that by playing there, she will be gaining a level of experience that she is unlikely to get if she stays in the country.&quot;Sabi din &#x27;yun kasi ni Coach Tai (Bundit),&quot; she revealed. &quot;At least, this will give you an experience, or a stepping stone din para mag-improve ka pa as a player. Kasi sabi niya, I really need experience.&quot;&quot;So they&#x27;re willing to help me naman, the 3BB team. I&#x27;m really lucky, and I&#x27;m really going to grab the opportunity,&quot; Valdez added.Yet she also knows that her stint in Thailand is a big deal not only for herself, but for Philippine volleyball. In breaking her silence about the development, Valdez said back in December that she hopes her move to Thailand &quot;opens doors for more Filipino volleyball players to get the chance to play overseas.&quot;Now, she said the notion of representing the Philippines in Thailand is additional inspiration and motivation for her.&quot;I think this is one way to also help the country and Philippine volleyball,&quot; she said. &quot;Siyempre, saan ka pa babalik? Dito at dito rin.&quot;&quot;And you really want to help and share everything that you&#x27;ve learned,&quot; she added. &quot;&#x27;Yun naman talaga &#x27;yung goal, so sana makatulong din tayo talaga.&quot;Valdez still intends to return to the Philippines once her stint with 3BB Nakornnont concludes in April, and is hoping that she can compete in the V-League. She also remains open to joining the volleyball team that will represent the Philippines in the Southeast Asian Games later this year.&quot;If given a chance naman po, game na game (ako),&quot; she said.(For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com" target="_blank">Sports website.</a>)

Alyssa Valdez anticipates a period of adjustment when she embarks on the next chapter of her volleyball career – suiting up for the 3BB Nakornnont in the Thailand League.

Alyssa Valdez anticipates a period of adjustment when she embarks on the next chapter of her volleyball career – suiting up for the 3BB Nakornnont in the Thailand League.

Why Alyssa wants to play in Thailand

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Why Alyssa wants to play in Thailand

Camille B. Nared,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jan 10, 2017 04:19 PM PHT

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volleyball

Alyssa Valdez

3BB Nakornnont

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