Alyssa Valdez is raring to showcase her wares but her coaches are making sure that she takes it nice and easy.

As the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference gets off the wraps on 4 February, Valdez's full return has yet to be determined.

"I think that's why my coaches are there," Valdez said during yesterday's Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum.

"They are the ones who manage my expectations and control me since, knowing myself, I am very eager to return."

Valdez, 29, injured her knee in the Reinforced Conference last December and remains in the recovery stage
"They are the ones who always give me the go signal. Aside from that, I have to be really smart because as you become one of the veterans as well, you have to play smart."

One thing that also gives her the drive to get back in terrific shape is a possible stint with the national team in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia in May as well as the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China at the start of the last quarter of this year.

"That's one thing I am actually looking forward to more than the PVL. We all know that the SEA Games are near so we want to be ready for the PVL until the SEA Games," Valdez said.
"That's what motivates me to keep going."

Valdez was a crucial player in Creamline's two championships last season in the Open and Invitational conferences.

While the scoring load for the Cool Smashers is spread out with Tots Carlos, Jema Galanza, Michele Gumabao and Jeanette Panaga doing the damage, Valdez's leadership inside the court bailed the team out in tight situations.

Despite Valdez possibly sitting out the first few games of the conference, she is still confident that her teammates will be able to hold their ground for a strong start in the competition.