Creamline’s Jia Morado De Guzman. PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses and setter Jia De Guzman are rejoining Creamline Philippines for Tuesday’s match against defending champion China in the AVC Cup for Women at PhilSports Arena.
After missing the Cool Smashers’ campaign opener on Sunday due to health reasons, Meneses bared to Inquirer Sports that he will be back calling the shots and the ace setter is cleared to run the plays of her team.
“Jia and I will be back tomorrow,” said the two-time Premier Volleyball League champion coach in Filipino.
Despite playing with a depleted roster including the absence of Alyssa Valdez and Risa Sato, who were both ruled out of the tournament, the Philippines put up a gallant stand before falling to Vietnam, 19-25, 17-25, 29-31, in its first Pool A game.
Kyle Negrito orchestrated Creamline’s plays in lieu of De Guzman, while assistant coach Karlo Santos coached the team.
The 27-year-old De Guzman was seen training with the team in an Instagram reel posted by Santos on Monday.
Meneses and De Guzman’s return is a timely boost for the home team against a five-time champion Chinese side, which swept South Korea on Sunday and survived Vietnam in five sets earlier.
The Philippines needs to reach the top four of Pool A to reach the quarterfinals and avoid a ninth place finish in the tournament. The host country will face Iran on Wednesday and the winless Korea on Thursday.