Her skills, passion and charisma endeared her to volleyball supporters, purists or casual fans, from all walks of life.
She brings energy and leadership to every team that she’s joined. Valdez draws a huge crowd every time she plays.
Valdez is the poster girl of the sport that for years struggled to draw mainstream attention in a nation which considers basketball as its biggest sporting event. The 27-year old pride of San Juan, Batangas is the face of local volleyball.
So on her birthday today, let’s look at some of the things that makes the Phenom really phenomenal.
Two-time UAAP women’s champion
Valdez is Ateneo de Manila University’s undisputed Queen Eagle.
Talks about the Lady Eagles’ breakthrough championship will not be complete without the mention of her name.
After two years of bridesmaid finishes, Ateneo bagged its first-ever UAAP title in 2014 after beating the thrice-to-beat De La Salle University in four games in the Finals despite leading a young band of Lady Eagles playing under the new system of Thai coach Tai Bundit.
The following year, Ateneo, with Valdez at the helm, retained its crown in a tournament-sweeping fashion.
Three-time UAAP Most Valuable Player
Her skills during her collegiate career stood out among her peers.
Valdez’s effort was rewarded with three Most Valuable Player awards in Season 76, Season 77 and in her last playing year in Season 78 in 2016.
She also pocketed the Season 76 Finals MVP award.
Young phenom
Valdez didn’t build her reputation overnight.
It was her hard work and effort that brought her where she is right now.
She was still a diamond in the rough when she was recruited by University of Sto. Tomas in a regional meet. But the Espana-based squad polished Valdez into a real gem of a player.
Valdez, backed by a powerful lineup that featured the likes of Kim Fajardo and Jaja Santiago, won three straight UAAP girls’ titles and in the process collected three season MVPs. She was also named UAAP high school athlete of the year twice.
National team mainstay
With her talents, dedication and good work ethics, Valdez has been a mainstay with the national team.
Her first tour of duty was in 2008 when she represented the country in the Asian Youth Championship held in Pasig City.
She joined the PHI Team in the 2014 FIVB Southeast Asian Zone qualifier in Vietnam.
In 2015, she donned the tricolors for the Asian U-23 Championship and on the same year saw action in the country’s return in the Southeast Asian Games in Singapore after a decade of absence.
Since then Valdez participated in the 2017 Kuala Lumpur and 2019 Manila SEA Games. She also took part in the 2017 Asian Senior Women’s Championship and the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games.
2015 SEA Games flagbearer
Valdez also carries the honor as being the first-ever volleyball player to become the PHI flag-bearer in the SEA Games.
She marched holding the national color in front of Team Philippines during the traditional parade of nations inside the OCBC Arena in the 2015 Singapore SEA Games.
Accomplished commercial league star
She has been collecting commercial league titles since high school starting from the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball League.
Valdez was also successful in the different conferences of the defunct V-League, racking up championships and individual accolades.
In the Premier Volleyball League, she powered Creamline to three titles including a sweep of the Season 2 Reinforced and Open Conferences in 2018. She won three conference MVP awards.
Import abroad
International leagues took notice of Valdez’s talents and charm so it’s not surprising that she landed offers to play abroad.
Valdez played as an import in Thailand for 3BB Nakornnont from 2016 to 2017.
After her stint in Thailand, Valdez flew to Taiwan to play for Attack Line.
Host, Actress, TV personality
Valdez is a regular fixture in different sports shows in ABS-CBN S+A.
She’s a host, courtside reporter and a game analyst.
Valdez also had a few showbiz stints. She appeared in some Kapamilya teleserye including a cameo in ‘And I Love You So’ in 2016 alongside Julia Barretto and Miles Ocampo and in the movie ‘My Letters to Happy’ with by TJ Trinidad and Glaiza De Castro.
Aside from her TV and movie career, Valdez is also one of the most recognizable athlete product endorsers.
Social media influencer
She is also one of the most popular Filipino athlete on social media.
As of posting, Valdez has 1.9 million Twitter followers, 1.3 million followers on Instagram and her YouTube channel has more than 76,000 subscribers.
Featured in the Olympics Channel website
While the likes of Sisi Rondina, Jaja Santiago and Bryan Bagunas were featured in the FIVB website, Valdez’s impact on Philippine Volleyball was highlighted in a feature article in no less than the Olympic Channel website.
The article touched about her humble beginnings to her meteoric rise and why she is regarded as the nation’s brightest star in the sport.
These are just some of the things take make Valdez a true pride of our nation in the sport
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