Handshakes, court switches return for All-Filipino tilt   

Alyssa Valdez during a therapy session. – ALYSSA VALDEZ INSTAGRAM

Handshake back. Change the court after the set, too. Alyssa Valdez? Maybe by the end of next month.

The Premier Volleyball League (PVL) is bringing back the prepandemic ritual that began in the All-Filipino Conference 2023 next Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, even as one of the main attractions of the tournament remains on the injured list.

“We will repeat the protocol that happened before the pandemic,” said tournament director Tonyboy Liao during a press conference on Saturday at the Discovery Suites. “During the match, when the two teams were introduced during the pandemic, both teams took bows with their hands. But now, you go directly to the opponent and shake hands with them. We also bring back the switching side. So, every other set, change the court.

Hold your breath

However, those awaiting the return of Creamline star Valdez from injury will have to hold their breath a little longer.

“I hope that by the end of February, he will be 100 percent playing on the field,” Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses said in Filipino. “Right now, he is still undergoing rehab but now he can move and jump. But he has shown good signs of his rehab.

With the Cool Smashers staying away from the dizzying offseason that featured players and coaches switching tams, Meneses will call on the old reliability to step up for the absent Valdez.

The two-time PVL champion coach will follow Michele Gumabao as a starter and convert Tots MVP Carlos to an outside hitter.

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