Camille Naredo

Article (news)

Veteran trio Valdez, Gonzaga, Molina

John Franklin Kennedy Caacbay

ABS-CBN News

CANDON, Ilocos Sur — Veteran volleyball players Alyssa Valdez, Jovelyn Gonzaga, and Ces Molina are proving that they still have a lot left in the tank.Answering the call of duty after the 2025 Alas Pilipinas core declined to play, the country turned to the seasoned trio to guide the revamped national team in the Candon-hosted 2026 AVC Women’s Cup.And in just their first match, they proved to be valuable than ever, bringing not just leadership and experience, but also the spiking prowesses that they have shown in all of the years they have suited up in the Philippine volleyball scene.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/volleyball/2026/6/5/alyssa-valdez-headlines-14-woman-final-roster-for-avc-women-s-cup-1945">READ: Alyssa Valdez headlines 14-woman final roster for AVC Women’s Cup </a></div>Valdez tallied 14 points (11 attacks, 2 blocks, 1 ace), Gonzaga had 12 points (10 attacks, 2 aces), and Molina chipped in 11 points (9 attacks, 2 aces), as Alas Pilipinas dominated Uzbekistan, 25-16, 25-12, 25-14, on Saturday at the Candon City Arena.All three were just grateful as they shared the court again, donning the national tri-colors for the first time since 2019.&quot;Napakasaya sa pakiramdam, we never really thought na we’re gonna go back here together but andito kami so we’ll take this opportunity para makapag-share rin ng knowledge sa mga bata na nasa national team,&quot; said the 32-year-old Valdez, also returning as national team captain.&quot;Ako, personally, sobrang happy ko kasi kasama ko ulit sila (for first time since 2019), and I&#x27;m glad na may mga bago kami na mga kasama ngayon. I hope magtuloy-tuloy ‘to,&quot; said Molina, 32.&quot;I just wanna enjoy the last years of my playing career and gusto ko maganda &#x27;yung memory na maiiwan sa volleyball,&quot; added Gonzaga, 34.Valdez, despite being one of the older players, acknowledged the leadership capabilities of the younger players on the squad.&quot;Nakakatuwa kasi leader na rin ‘yung mga bata ngayon. Grabe ‘yung personality nila and character development nila throughout the three weeks na we are together so we are very, very happy to be here at makita rin ‘yung growth nila as individuals,&quot; said Valdez.Molina said they are leading together, not just the seasoned gunners.&quot;‘Yung leadership siguro natural na ‘yon sa mga players. Parang lahat kayang mag-lead. Pero lahat kami nag-a-adjust din kami sa isa’t isa, lahat kami sumusunod sa isa’t isa for better teamwork,&quot; she said.Gonzaga vowed to give their all together as one team.&quot;Basta happy kami na paunti-unti nakukuha namin &#x27;yung program ng coaches. Paghihirapan pa namin, pagsisikapan pa namin at pagbubutihan pa sa susunod na games,&quot; said Gonzaga.Alas is set to face Australia on Sunday for its second game of the tourney presented by the PSC, FIVB, AVC, Volleyball World and Candon City headed by Mayor Eric Singson.

Veteran volleyball players Alyssa Valdez, Jovelyn Gonzaga, and Ces Molina are proving that they still have a lot left in the tank.

Veteran volleyball players Alyssa Valdez, Jovelyn Gonzaga, and Ces Molina are proving that they still have a lot left in the tank.

Veteran trio Valdez, Gonzaga, Molina proving they still have a lot left in the tank

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Volleyball

Veteran trio Valdez, Gonzaga, Molina proving they still have a lot left in the tank

Kennedy Caacbay,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 06, 2026 07:40 PM PHT

Read More:

volleyball

Alas Pilipinas

AVC Women's Cup

Candon

Ilocos Sur

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