Always welcome at ‘home,’ Jia keeps focus on PH squad

SCHEDULE: Alas Pilipinas at the AVC Challenge Cup 2024

Alas Pilipinas’ Jia De Guzman during the AVC Challenge Cup press conference.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

If it was up to Sherwin Meneses, he would gladly welcome his former lead setter Jia de Guzman back to Creamline.

But where De Guzman will next take her act after leading Alas Pilipinas in the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Challenge Cup starting on Thursday is still up in the air.

“Creamline will always be my home, but I still don’t have a clear direction right now after the national team,” De Guzman told the Inquirer. “Right now, the national team is the only thing that’s sure for me. That’s the priority.”

The hastily formed Filipino squad battles tall Australia at 7 p.m. at Rizal Memorial Coliseum and it is no secret that De Guzman will be the main orchestrator of the Alas Pilipinas offense owing to her talent and experience.

The tournament got going on Wednesday with India sweeping Iran, 25-17, 25-23, 25-21, in Pool A and Kazakhstan scrubbing off Singapore, 25-15, 25-9, 25-17, behind Kristina Belova’s 15 points in Pool B.

Team Philippines is a merry mix of professional and collegiate stars that will battle some of the best in the region, with the Filipinos coached by Jorge Souza de Brito looking to make it out of group play even after being together for less than two weeks.

Next move

And from all of the players making up Team PH, it is De Guzman which this country has seen very little of late. That’s why fans are anticipating what her next move would be, even if it is almost sure that she will get a new contract offer from her Japanese club.

“There are still no talks yet [where I would like to play again] so far because I haven’t really had the time to process anything other than come to the national team and train for the games this week,” De Guzman said.

But Meneses has made it no secret that he and his staff will be welcoming De Guzman back with open arms.

“Yes, Jia will always be Creamline,” Meneses said when asked if the eight-time champions will still be De Guzman’s local club if she returns to the PVL. “The management is just so good that it allows us to take (playing) opportunities abroad.” INQ