Although bogged by nagging injuries and rising age, Philippine volleyball superstar Alyssa Valdez still wants to return to full health and compete with the younger generation before considering retirement

MANILA, Philippines – Alyssa Valdez has done it all in Philippine volleyball, but she wants more for tomorrow, no matter what her body tells her today.

One of the Philippines’ greatest volleyball players of all time, the former Ateneo and current Creamline superstar has created an unparalleled career résumé of eight Premier Volleyball League (PVL) championships, three PVL MVPs, and eight Best Outside Hitter awards, all record-highs, among many other accolades.

In recent conferences, however, Valdez has struggled to stay on the court due to multiple nagging injuries, prompting fans to consider the thought that they are starting to see the tail end of the volleyball icon’s legendary career.

Allaying warranted fears, the 30-year-old veteran shared on a recent Rappler Talk Sports episode that while she has not been at her best form for quite some time, she is far from done on the taraflex courts.

“As of now, my top priority is to be back 100%, and hopefully, it finally happens soon,” she said in a mix of English and Filipino. “I’m praying for that also and I’ve been working hard to achieve that.”

“I can’t say how much longer I can play, but definitely, I want to play at 100% first before I say farewell to the volleyball court, not the volleyball community, but the court.”

Although she has had some low moments this past PVL conference, most notably an injury-hampered 1-point performance in the All-Filipino finals Game 2, Valdez has also showed flashes of vintage dominance, like her 21-point eruption against Choco Mucho in the semifinals.