A GROUP of fans backing volleyball star Alyssa Valdez celebrated its first anniversary in fitting fashion, watching their idol lead PLDT to victory over Army in the title decider of the Shakey’s V-League Season 12 Open Conference.
With members of the Certified Supporters of Miss MVP Alyssa Valdez watching from the stands, the popular spiker scored 29 points as PLDT pulled off a 25-22, 18-25, 24-26, 28-26, 15-13 win to dethrone Philippine Army in front of a crowd of 5,425 at The Arena in San Juan on Sunday.
Members of the club also known as Alyfinity were out in full force wearing white shirts adorned with a picture of Valdez, carried banners and orange pompoms and cheered their hearts out the entire two hour and 26-minute match.
Hong Kong-based Randy Iblasin, vice president of Alyfinity, traveled to the Philippines just to watch the championship match, arriving in Manila on Saturday and heading back to HK after the match.
The architect consultant spent around P8,000 for the plane fare, which he tells Spin.ph was well worth it.
“Sobrang worth it naman talaga,” he said. “Nakapag-celebrate na kami ng anniversary kahapon nanalo pa si Alyssa.”
Alifinity president Leahliza dela Cruz said it’s never a waste of money, time and effort supporting Valdez because their idol always makes them feel appreciated.
“Sobra siyang humble given na magaling at saka the way na nakaka-connect na kami sa kanya ramdam mo ’yung warmth,” said De la Cruz.
“At saka kahit anong situation hindi nagbabago ’yung attitude niya, ipaparamdam niya sayo ang appreciation niya, kahit busy siya or pagod siya ipaparamdam niya sa amin na na-appreciate niya,” she added.
“Pag kumaway siya at nag-open ang bibig niya sasabihin niya, Thank you, malaking bagay na sa amin ’yun,” she continued.
As part of their anniversary, the Alifinity has opened two more chapters in the Philippines aside from its mother group in Manila. They also have one in Singapore, where the 28th Southeast Asian Games will be held.
Valdez is part of the 12-woman pool that will represent the Philippines in the SEA Games.
“As of now meron na kami Manila chapter, tapos meron bago sa Cebu and Davao,” said Iblasin. “Ngayon sa Singapore nakabuo na doon ng chapter.”
“Handa na doon ’yung mga members, ’yung mga t-shirts na-order na, ’yung mga banners at tarpaulins napadala na doon from Manila, may grupo na na sasalubong sa Philippine team pagdating sa airport tapos meron din naka-toka na di bababa sa 30 ang manonood every game,” he added.
Source: Mei-Lin Lozada of Spin.ph
