FILE–Creamline setter Jia De Guzman during a PVL game. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Jia De Guzman is returning to the Creamline Cool Smashers in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL).
De Guzman, though, stressed that her main focus this year is to continue leading Alas Pilipinas.
READ: Jia De Guzman relishes Alas Pilipinas’ growth after AVC feat
“Of course, I’m going back to Creamline, but I went to a team that also knows that I have responsibilities also for the flag,” De Guzman said in the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum on Tuesday.
“It’s really national team period. Klaro naman po yung usapan namin ng Rebisco management that while the Alas players are needed by the national team, our focus is here.”
De Guzman last played for Creamline in 2023 as she played in Japan with the Denso AiryBees in the last two seasons, where she won a V.Cup title and played in the last two SV.League Division 1.
The Cool Smashers, with Kyle Negrito emerging as the main setter, made a historic grand slam run in 2024 before losing the All-Filipino Conference championship to the Petro Gazz Angels.
The eight-time PVL Best Setter is grateful for Creamline’s support for allowing her to focus on Alas for now, leading the squad to a historic silver medal finish in the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Women’s Nations Cup.
READ: Jia De Guzman eager to lead and learn from young Alas Pilipinas
“So right now, I’m very grateful because they’re allowing me to focus entirely on Alas Pilipinas because we know that we have a responsibility to the country also so I’m very grateful sa Creamline,” said De Guzman.
“It’s not just me that’s in the pool from the Rebisco family. It’s also Maddie (Madayag) and now it’s also Tia Andaya. Very clear naman yung management and very supportive because they know that when they send us to the national team, we come back with better experiences that can help Creamline and Choco Mucho in their campaigns.”
The 30-year-old playmaker won her second consecutive Best Setter award in the Nations Cup, following their bronze medal finish last year.
De Guzman and the Filipino Spikers are currently under the national team period as they play in the VTV Cup in Vietnam at the end of June and will play two SEA V.League legs.
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The Creamline setter is also locked in to help the national team in ending the 20-year medal drought in the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand later this year.
