Ni Edwin Rollon

PINUTAKTI ng batikos mula sa nitizens at volleyball fans ang pamunuan ng Creamline matapos ipahayag sa kanilang Facebook account na hindi na palalaruin si star player Alysssa Valdez sa kabuuan ng kampanya ng koponan sa Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Open.

“After careful deliberation, we regret to inform you that Management has made the difficult decision to preserve Ly’s current health condition and make her sit out all remaining Creamline games. She will be present during the games though to cheer on and provide moral support to her teammates and fans,” pahayag ng management sa kanilang FB post kahapon na umani ng mahigit 100 komento mula sa dismayadong volleyball followers.

Nakatakdang harapin ng Creamline Cool Smashers ang BaliPure sa unang laro ng semifinals kahapon ganap na 4:00 ng hapon sa The Arena sa San Juan.

Nauna rito, ipinahayag ng Creamline ang pagbabalik ensayo sa koponan ng three-time league MVP at four-time UAAP top player mula sa dalawang linggo pagsasanay sa Japan kung saan miyembro si Valdez ng National Team na isasabak sa Southeast Asian Games sa Agosto.

Sa sulat na may petsang Agosto 4, 2017, sinabi ng Rebisco management, may-ari ng Creamline, na nagbalik ensayo si Valdez matapos payagan ng larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas, Inc.

“We are delighted to let you know that our National Team player, Alyssa Valdez, will suit up for the Cool Smashers during Creamline’s semi-final games in the PVL Open Conference this weekend!

“REBISCO Management had asked Aly to come to practices and join in our games, to which she gladly agreed. Rest assured that we’re fully aware of Ly’s obligation to the National Team, and fully supports her commitment to the team and its program.

“REBISCO is a proud sponsor of the LVPI and the National Team, and we’ve provided significant financial backing -- from the REBISCO-PSL Manila team that went to Kazakhstan to the NT’s recent stint in Japan. On top of this, Creamline had willingly let Alyssa practice in Japan, and accepted her absence in 3 of our games. No doubt, we continue to believe in Aly, and are fully committed to supporting her, the National Team and the continued development of Philippine volleyball,” ayon sa sulat.

Ngunit, wala pang 24 oras, kaagad na bumaligtad ang pahayag ng Creamline na lubhang ikinaiinis ng mga tagahanga na umaasang mapapanood ang kanilang idolo.

“We’re sure you understand why we made this decision, unpopular though it may be. We just want to make sure that Alyssa gets to fulfill her dream of representing the Philippines in the upcoming SEA Games,” sambit sa bagong sulat ng Creamline na may petsang Agosto 5.

“We have full trust and confidence in our players and coaches. We will continue to fight and do our best to win our semi-final series against Bali Pure,” anila.

Wala namang opisyal na pahayag si Valdez hingil sa isyu.