Creamline Cool Smashers with Jia de Guzman. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
VIGAN, Ilocos Sur — Alyssa Valdez and Jema Galanza are thrilled to be reuniting with Jia De Guzman after the eight-time Best Setter confirmed her return to the Creamline Cool Smashers in the PVL.
De Guzman, though, said her focus for now remains with Alas Pilipinas.
READ: Jia De Guzman relishes Alas Pilipinas’ growth after AVC feat
“Very, very excited and very happy and thankful. Jia’s been part of the team since day one, and it’s always very special that we’re still going to be so intact as a team,” Valdez said after meeting Ilocano fans on Friday ahead of their PVL on Tour matches.
Alyssa Valdez and Jema Galanza happy to meet the fans from different parts of the country through the PVL on Tour. They are also happy for their long time teammate Jia De Guzman, who continues to lead Alas Pilipinas. #PVL2025 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/dywWfLjsGV
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) June 21, 2025
Galanza added that Creamline is fully supportive of De Guzman’s national team journey.
“We’re happy and excited about her journey with Alas. We miss her, and we know that she will share a lot of her experience from Japan. We’re excited when she comes back to play,” Galanza said in Filipino.
READ: PVL: Jia De Guzman returning to Creamline but keeps focus on Alas
Valdez, the former national team captain, also expressed support for their Creamline teammates Bernadeth Pons and Dij Rodriguez, who are part of the women’s beach volleyball team, as well as the Alas men’s squad.
“We’re actually praying and cheering for her (Jia), for the whole Alas team, the men’s team, and all the national teams — beach volleyball also with Dij and Pons. We’re happy to have national team players as a team and as a family,” she said.
Valdez and Galanza welcomed the opportunity to bring the PVL experience to fans across the country through the PVL on Tour, vowing to keep Creamline’s trademark competitiveness.
Creamline opens its Pool B campaign against Capital1 and Akari on Sunday and Monday, respectively, at Chavit Coliseum.
“I’m really excited to go around the Philippines, experience the culture of each province we visit, and meet the volleyball community,” Valdez said. “At the end of the day, we play volleyball, so we will remain competitive and give our best for the fans.”
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Galanza echoed Valdez’s commitment to fans.
“It feels good every time we go to different places. We continue to receive great support from the fans,” Galanza said.
