For more than a decade, Alyssa Valdez and Ara Galang built one of Philippine volleyball’s most memorable rivalries.
From their battles in the UAAP to their clashes in the professional ranks, the two stars spent much of their careers competing on opposite sides of the net.
Now, they are finally wearing the same jersey.
Valdez, Galang Finally Don National Team Colors
Valdez and Galang’s long-awaited partnership became a reality when both were named to the Alas Pilipinas roster for the 2026 AVC Women’s Volleyball Cup, giving Philippine volleyball fans a chance to see two of the sport’s most iconic figures represent the country together.
“Syempre, ayun nga, kami nga happy. After a long time, tsaka hindi naman namin expected. Siguro nga destined ngayon. Thankful ako na nakasama ko siya sa team, sa national team pa,” said Galang.
The reunion comes at a unique point in their careers.
Valdez, 32, and Galang, 31, were among the veterans tapped to help lead a reshaped national team after several key players from previous Alas Pilipinas pools were unavailable for the tournament.
Fighting for the Flag
Against South Korea on Tuesday, fans got a glimpse of what many had long imagined as Valdez and Galang helped spark a spirited third-set fightback before the Philippines eventually fell in straight sets.
“Sayang, pero maganda naman ’yung nakipagsabayan kami, nakadikit kami. Effort lang ’yung sa last point, ’yun nga sayang,” Galang said.
For the former La Salle star, the moment carries even greater significance given the obstacles she had to overcome just to reach the national team stage.
Galang’s international aspirations were repeatedly interrupted by injuries throughout her career, most notably a devastating ACL injury in 2015 that forced her to miss multiple major tournaments.
Better Late Than Never
Additional setbacks in the years that followed prevented her from fully pursuing national team opportunities, making her current stint with Alas Pilipinas all the more meaningful.
“Super grateful lang talaga ako,” Galang said.
“Unang-una dahil hindi ko in-expect. Masasabi natin too late na, pero ’yun nga, super grateful lang ako sa opportunity na ito na dumating pa rin sa akin kahit papaano.”
Valdez echoed those sentiments, believing that while the partnership may have arrived later than many expected, the timing feels right.
“Alam mo, I think late man ’to sa career namin, pero I think it’s the right time talaga,” said Valdez.
“It’s the right time to actually inspire each other more towards the latter part of our careers. So, napakasaya rin makasama talaga si Ara Galang. Iba ’yung fire nito, talagang makikita mo na lalaban talaga.”
What was once one of Philippine volleyball’s defining rivalries has now become an alliance.
And for a national team navigating both on-court challenges and uncertainty off it, the presence of Valdez and Galang on the same side offers a powerful reminder of how far both players have come—and how much they can still contribute to Philippine volleyball.
