Alyssa Valdez has been the face of Philippine volleyball for more than a decade and continues to do so.

Her peak may have already been years behind and her body worn from countless battles on the taraflex but the fighting spirit and unwavering patriotism of the “Phenom” never faded.

The burning desire to serve the country amid one of local volleyball’s most tumultuous episodes spoke volumes about the character of the San Juan, Batangas lass.

Critics may disagree but the 33-year-old many-time national team star, along with other well-meaning volleybelles, heeded the call to stand up and don the tricolor in the 2026 Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Women’s Volleyball Cup.

Against the backdrop of issues and suspensions that hounded the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF), the sudden withdrawals of the core of Alas that had competed over the last two years and the lack of preparation of the hastily formed national squad, Valdez accepted the duty to lead.

The Candon City Arena in Ilocos Sur witnessed Alas fall from back-to-back podium finishes to its worst standing in the prestigious continental tournament.

However, it also displayed Valdez and the rest of the ill-fated Alas crew’s unshakable heart and loyalty to the flag and country.

“I guess one thing I realized throughout this experience… I’ve also been asking myself why I made this decision in my volleyball career. And I think one thing that actually pushed me to do this is my love for volleyball,” Valdez said in a cracked voice and obviously holding back tears.

It wasn’t an easy task.

Somebody had to do it.

And Valdez did.

“Back from when I was younger until now, my love for representing our country never wavered,” the 11-time Premier Volleyball League (PVL) champion Creamline captain said.

Reactivated after three years of hiatus from national squad duties, the battle-tested but admittedly aging open spiker led Alas in the highly competitive field that included eventual champion South Korea and runner-up Chinese Taipei.

Alas charged into the battlefield knowing of its suicide mission against well-prepared opponents.

Poor chemistry and limited firepower proved the biggest issues for Alas, as it missed the podium following a disappointing result in the pool stage.

Even in the battle for seventh, the Filipinas fell short at the hands of the Iranians.

Valdez displayed her vintage form in Alas’ wins over Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan as well as in the team’s sorry five-set defeat to Australia in the group stage.

But her offense was stymied in Alas’ bitter three-game skid against the Koreans, Taiwanese and Iranians.

“The result may not be the result we wanted but hopefully for the young bloods, I could only wish that they continue to represent the country,” she said.

Valdez, despite the backlash and intense scrutiny she and the revamped Alas received, stood by her decision to play for the flag.