MANILA, Philippines -- Alyssa Valdez’s international club league career started Sunday when the Filipina volleyball superstar flew to Thailand to join 3BB Nakornnont.

The former UAAP three-time Most Valuable Player will start training with the club as 3BB Nakornnont prepares for the second round of the Thai League.

Valdez will debut for 3BB on January 29 against King-Bangkok.

“Siguro hindi ko rin ma-explain kung gaano ako ka-excited at kung gaano ako kinakabahan kasi it’s a different challenge,” said the 23-year-old Valdez in an interview with ABS-CBN Sports. “Kasi mag-isa lang ako, 'yung lahat ng mga external factors nandoon na rin.”

Valdez, who was given the green light by the Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas, Inc. to play abroad Saturday, will join her former Bureau of Customs teammates Kanjana Kuthaisong and Nattanicha Jaisaen.

“At least naging teammates ko naman ang few players doon,’ she said.

Valdez will stay in Thailand until early April as the team will also play in the Thai-Denmark Suepr League.

But what excites Valdez, who bannered the national women’s volleyball team in its return to the Southeast Asian Games two years ago in Singapore, the most is the chance to go up against Thai superstar and Southeast Asia’s most popular player Pleumjit Thinkaow.

“Di ko ba nakakalaban sina Pleumjit and 'yung mga senior (players ng mga) teams,” said the Team Philippines flag-bearer during the 2015 SEA Games. “Noong SEA Games naman kasi last time hindi natin sila ka-bracket. I’m really excited.”

“I’m really looking forward na makalaban talaga sila o makaharapan lang sila di ba?” she added. “Iba 'yung excitement kasi makakalaban mo ‘yung mga experienced teams tapos ‘yung team namin sobrang bata rin. Feeling ko matututo ako sa mga kids at the same time sa mga veteran ng Thailand also para ma-help pa kung ano 'yung mga kailangan kong i-improve as a player and as an individual also.”

This article originally appeared on the ABS-CBN Sports website.

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