Alyssa Valdez flag bearer ng Team PH sa Cambodia SEAG

VOLLEYBALL superstar Alyssa Valdez ang napiling flag bearer ng Team Philippines sa 32nd Southeast Asian Games Opening ceremony sa Biyernes, Mayo 5, sa Morodok Techo Stadium sa Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Ito ang ikalawang pagkakataon na si Valdez ang magdadala ng bandila ng Pilipinas sa SEA Games. Binigyan din siya ng pagkakaton na magdala ng Philippine flag noong 2015 edition ng biennial meet.

Valdez, na pinamunuan ang Philippine women’s volleyball team sa kanilang unang podium finish sa SEA Games sa loob ng 18 taon, Tinanggap ang karangalan na muling maging flag bearer ng bansa.

“It’s such an honor to be the flag bearer of this year’s SEA games. It’s a big responsibility but I’m grateful to the trust given to me once again,” Wika ng 29-year-old Valdez Martes.

“I first had the opportunity to carry our Philippine flag in 2015 in Singapore and it was an unforgettable experience. I share this with all the women in sports who brought honor and glory to the country.”

Ipinaliwanag ni Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham”Bambol” Tolentino ang pagpili kay Valdez.

“Alyssa best fits our goal of an almost all-female delegation in the opening ceremony. She’s not only the face of Philippine volleyball but sports as well,” Wika ni Tolentino.

Pangungunahan ni Valdez ang 50 female athletes na paparada para sa Team Philippines sa opening ceremony sa Phnom Penh Games na tatakbo hanggang Mayo 17.

Ang paparadang atleta ay magsosout ng “Araw” ang Francis Libiran-designed Barong Tagalog.

Si Tolentino at Philippine delegation’s chef de mission Chito Loyzaga lang ang tanging lalaki na kasama ng Filipino contingent sa parade of nations.