MANILA, Philippines — Kyle Negrito continues to embrace all the learnings she got from her Creamline teammate and Alas Pilipinas star Jia De Guzman, who was named Miss Volleyball in the Philippine Sportswriters Association Awards on Monday at Manila Hotel.

Negrito congratulated the eight-time PVL Best Setter shortly after Creamline swept Nxled, 25-12, 25-21, 25-19, to stay unbeaten in six games for the 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference lead on Tuesday at Philsports Arena.

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“Congratulations, ate Jia. You’re my idol, my inspiration,” said Negrito, who led the Cool Smashers with 15 excellent sets on top of three points.

READ: ‘Ms. Volleyball’ honor ‘dream come true’ for Jia De Guzman

Kyle Negrito congratulates Miss Volleyball Jia De Guzman. #PVL2025 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/6EkVTz7AcI

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) January 28, 2025

Negrito, the Invitational Conference Finals MVP, credited her rise to being one of the top playmakers of the league to her experience when she was a backup to multi-titled playmaker De Guzman, who is currently in Japan with the  Denso AiryBees.

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“Nakatulong na rin kasi sa tinagal ko sa Creamline. Lagi na akong nandyan sa likod nakasuporta kay Ate Jia sa training sa tagal ng pinagsamahan namin nanood lang din po ako nung nagkaroon ng pagkakataon,” she said. “Wala naman akong binago, yung system namin sinunod ko and yung mga nangyari parehas pa rin naman.”

And filling in De Guzman’s big shoes for the past conferences was made easy by coach Sherwin Meneses and the trust of the Cool Smashers.

“Siyempre sa tulong na rin ni coach and yung mga teammates ko rin po, pinaparamdam nila yung tiwala nila na buong buo. Gawin ko lang yung role ko and gagawin nila yung role nila. Si coach Sherwin grabe yung patience from the very beginning hanggang ngayon,” Negrito said.

Meneses was proud of Negrito’s growth, emerging as a two-time PVL Best Setter and making good decisions for the team, which completed a historic grand slam last year.

READ: PVL: Creamline makes quick work of Nxled to go 6-0

“Sa una lang naman medyo mahirap kasi syempre iba ibang sistema pero as of now, tingin ko pwede na siyang mag-isa lang [sa decision making].Lagi lang kaming nag-a-advice at tumutulong sa mga gagawin pero overall [sila] naman yung naglalaro so good para sa kanya,” Meneses said. 

The ex-Far Eastern University star is just thrilled to bring balance to Creamline’s talent-rich wing spiker rotation as they eye their fifth straight All-Filipino championship this year.

“As a setter, siyempre masarap sa pakiramdam na yung mga spikers mo lahat gusto ng bola, lahat gusto pumuntos para sa team. Nakakaboost din ng morale na gugustuhin mo din mabigay ng maayos sa kanila yung bola,” she said.