MANILA, Philippines — After three years abroad, Jia De Guzman is back in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL), ready to lead the Creamline Cool Smashers once again.
De Guzman spent the past years playing in Japan’s SV.League and captaining the Alas Pilipinas program. The eight-time PVL Best Setter is eager to share her international experience with Creamline, which lost all its crowns last season to Petro Gazz and PLDT.
“The PVL has changed a lot, and I’m more than ready to embrace the challenge,” De Guzman said. She will face league MVPs Brooke Van Sickle of Nxled, Savi Davison of PLDT, and standout rookies like Bella Belen and Thea Gagate.
De Guzman will share playmaking duties with Kyle Negrito, who stepped up during her absence. “Whatever the coaches ask from us, whether it’s me inside or Kyle inside, we’re just really ready to support each other,” she said.
Expectations are high for De Guzman’s homecoming, but she said the team is focused on building chemistry and taking the tournament one step at a time.