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Back to rookie status for superstar Alyssa in Thai league

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Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/sports/02/27/valdez-022717.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">Alyssa Valdez watches the UAAP Season 79 game between Ateneo and UP. <cite>Arvin Lim, <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/uaap/volleyball/photos">ABS-CBN Sports</a></cite></div></figcaption></figure></div>MANILA, Philippines – When Alyssa Valdez left for Thailand in January, she did so as one of the best – if not the best – players of her generation.There was little left to prove for Valdez in the Philippines, having already won two UAAP championships, three MVPs, and several more hardware in the V-League. She has played for the national team, and carried the country&#x27;s flag in the 2015 Southeast Asian Games.Playing in Thailand – where she is an import for 3BB Nakornnont – was always going to be a challenge for Valdez, and during a visit to the Philippines, the former Ateneo de Manila University superstar revealed how much has changed for her since playing in the Thailand League.&quot;I&#x27;m just a beginner, rookie talaga,&quot; Valdez said Sunday at the Arena in San Juan, where she watched the Lady Eagles defeat the University of the Philippines in the UAAP Season 79 tournament.(READ: Ateneo wins &#x27;Battle of Katipunan&#x27; Round 1 vs UP) [http://sports.abs-cbn.com/uaap/news/2017/02/26/ateneo-wins-battle-katipunan-round-1-vs-up-22480]&quot;Skills-wise, talent-wise, &#x27;yung level nila is farther from us,&quot; she added. &quot;But I think what I like most in Thailand is that I&#x27;m challenged by them in really having healthy competition.&quot;Unlike in the Philippines, where Valdez is the undoubted No. 1 option of whatever team she plays for, in Thailand she is a role player. Valdez has yet to break into double-digits for 3BB. The most she has scored in a game is nine points, against Rangsit State University VC.But it is all part of the process for Valdez, who relishes the opportunity to play against some of the best players in Asia.&quot;It&#x27;s really one way of reminding me na you can&#x27;t really stop,&quot; said Valdez. &quot;There&#x27;s always room for improvement.&quot;&quot;Reminder &#x27;yun na makikita mo pa &#x27;yung top Asian volleyball players, nako-compare mo rin &#x27;yung sarili natin. Nakaka-inspire din makita &#x27;yung ganoong klaseng talent, kasi they don&#x27;t stop there,&quot; she added.&quot;They keep on growing and excelling.&quot;Nevertheless, the transition to Thailand was not as difficult for Valdez. She is already familiar with the country, having trained there repeatedly during her time in Ateneo. Her collegiate coach, Tai Bundit, also helped her adjust to the system of play in the country.Perhaps the biggest challenge for Valdez, outside of the language barrier, is getting used to being on her own.&quot;First time ko malayo sa family. First time ko totally mag-isa, wala akong kilala,&quot; said Valdez.The challenges and the hardships are all worth it, however, and indeed they only serve to motivate Valdez more than ever.&quot;I have to show them that I&#x27;m really determined to be there,&quot; she said.Valdez is set to return to Thailand next week.(For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/">ABS-CBN Sports website.</a>)

When Alyssa Valdez left for Thailand in January, she did so as one of the best – if not the best – players of her generation.

When Alyssa Valdez left for Thailand in January, she did so as one of the best – if not the best – players of her generation.

Back to rookie status for superstar Alyssa in Thai league

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Back to rookie status for superstar Alyssa in Thai league

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Feb 27, 2017 03:53 PM PHT

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Alyssa Valdez

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