Alyssa Valdez appeals for stronger governance, unity amid PH volleyball controversies

She also sent a message to young, aspiring athletes, encouraging them not to let the current climate deter them from pursuing their dreams of representing the country. “I am aware of the challenges and conversations surrounding our sport, and I understand the concerns being raised from different sides,” Valdez wrote. “Bilang naging bahagi ng national team, alam kong marami pang kailangang linawin at ayusin.”

She emphasized the need for a unified front rather than further fragmentation. “At a time like this, what the sport needs is not more division, but leadership in all its forms. Leadership that listens. Leadership that puts the welfare of athletes first,” she added.

While she did not point to a specific incident, her statement comes after the suspension of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) by the International Volleyball Federation for its failure to form a competitive national team for the ongoing Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) championship in Candon, Ilocos Sur.

Prior to the suspension, the PNVF also wrote to the AVC declaring it does not recognize the leadership of current AVC president Tats Suzara.

Valdez’s statement also comes amid heightened online scrutiny and recent controversies involving the tragic passing of Atenean student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, along with a previously issued apology from Ateneo Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin.

She ended her message by appealing for continued fan support in building a “better, fairer, and stronger system” for the next generation of Filipino athletes.

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