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Lyann De Guzman has come a long way since being inspired by “The Phenom”.
Ever since her UAAP days with Ateneo, Alyssa Valdez has captured the hearts of countless fans and inspired a new generation of athletes as she elevated Philippine volleyball to new heights.
Among those who were inspired by “The Phenom” is rising star Lyann De Guzman, who was once a kid left in awe as she watched Alyssa take flight in Ateneo’s iconic blue and white jerseys.
As Lyann recalls, it was around 2015, or during UAAP Season 77, when she became a fan of the Phenom. Avid fans may remember this as Alyssa’s final championship with the Lady Eagles, where they completed a 16-0 season sweep to secure their second-straight UAAP title.
“Simula nung Holy Family School pa lang ako, mga around Grade 7, doon ko na talaga nakilala si Ate Ly noong Ateneo days niya,” Lyann recalled. “Tas ‘yun, parang naging motivation ko na lang na soon talaga, kung anong mayroon siya na makakamit ko rin ‘yun, na makapaglaro sa UAAP.”
A decade later, Lyann would go on to meet Alyssa not as a fan, but as a fellow professional player in the Premier Volleyball League with the Nxled Chameleons. The two faced off for the first time on Thursday, as Nxled and the Creamline Cool Smashers returned to action following the Undas break.
While Nxled fell to Creamline, 25-20, 13-25, 16-25, 18-25, Lyann had a near triple-double of nine points, 11 excellent digs, and nine excellent receptions. For Lyann, the rare opportunity to play against her idol is a moment she will never forget.
“Happy ako, very happy kasi symepre simula nung bata pa ako, noong high school, siya na talaga ‘yung nilu-look up ko sa volleyball. Very na-starstruck ako kasi first time ko siya makakalaro sa ganitong game,” said Lyann, who is in the midst of her PVL rookie year. “Actually, sobrang excited ako maglaro at may motivation na ipakita mo sa idol mo na kaya mo rin talaga.”
If anything, it’s also a reflection of how far Lyann has come — from being Alyssa’s young fan, to following her footsteps in Ateneo, and now, sharing the Taraflex as peers in the PVL.
“Happy ako kasi sa naging journey ko, parang siya na rin ‘yung motivation ko na nakapag-national team ako nung high school, tapos kinuha ako ng FEU high school for UAAP tas na-recruit ako ng Ateneo, so happy ako, and of course sa Ateneo din kasi galing si Ate Ly.”
With great power comes great responsibility
For Alyssa, hearing Lyann’s story puts things into perspective, as it’s one of many reminders of the impact she’s left on the next generation of volleyball stars. Now a veteran herself, Alyssa is more than grateful knowing that she gets to play with the kids who once looked up to her.
“I think it’s impressive in such a way that I’ve never really thought na makakalaro ko pa ‘yung mga ganitong batches din, and I’m just so grateful na I’m still able to play din for Creamline and play against them,” said The Phenom.
“Honestly, nagiging inspirasyon ko na rin sila ngayon, dahil at a very young age, they’ve been doing so well and proving that they have a career here in volleyball,” continued Alyssa. “So I’m really, really looking forward to more games against [Lyann], or with her; we’ll never know, but I’m so very, very happy for her.”
While there may be pressure to meet expectations, fans like Lyann De Guzman give Alyssa the necessary fuel to continue pushing, even after everything that she has achieved within the sport.
“Aside from nakakataba ng puso, I think it’s more on nandoonpa rin ‘yung pressure to actually perform at this level, at this age, and at this point in my career; and I think that fuels me to keep on going within this community,” Alyssa said. “So thank you, and I’m very, very happy to actually hear all those things.”
Banner images courtesy of the Premier Volleyball League.