Creamline's main gunner Alyssa Valdez is expected to return to action when the Premier Volleyball League season starts on 4 February.

League commissioner Tonyboy Liao said the former Ateneo de Manila University star is showing positive signs heading toward the tournament.

Valdez has not played since injuring her knee during the bronze medal match in the PVL Reinforced Conference against Chery Tiggo last 6 December.

Despite the accident, the team said, in a statement, Valdez doesn't need to undergo surgery and will only need rest and rehabilitation to treat her injury.

"Coach Sherwin (Meneses) said she's able to bend her knee and receive balls. She's already practicing with the team," Liao said.

"We don't know how many percent is she ready but she is in the lineup."

With Valdez returning at the helm, the Cool Smashers loom as one of the contenders with an almost intact lineup.

With Meneses calling the shots, Creamline will have two-time Most Valuable Player Tots Carlos, Invitational Finals MVP Ced Domingo, Reinforced Conference Best Setter Jia de Guzman, Michelle Gumabao, Jema Galanza, Risa Sato and Jeanette Panaga.