Alas Pilipinas setter Jia de Guzman. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Jia De Guzman has always found fulfillment in making her teammates shine through her brilliant plays and selfless leadership.
And being recognized as the 2025 Philippine Sportswriters Association Awards’ Miss Volleyball is a dream come true for the Alas Pilipinas skipper, who led the rebirth of the Philippine women’s volleyball team with three bronze medal finishes in the AVC Challenge Cup and SEA V.League.
“This is actually a dream come true for me because being a setter in volleyball and playing a non-scoring, supporting role for my team, I’ve always found the most fulfillment in seeing my teammates, my spikers shine,” said De Guzman in a recorded acceptance speech in Japan.
READ: Jia De Guzman is ace up Alas Pilipinas sleeve
“But along with a non-scoring position comes challenges, self-placed limitations and even dreams that I thought I would never be able to achieve. Dreams like playing as a setter import in Japan and even receiving a distinctive award such as Miss Volleyball,” she added.
Miguel De Guzman was a proud husband as he represented his wife during the awards night, honored to see Jia’s name being feted with the brightest stars of Philippine sports led by two-time Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo.
“It’s such an honor because we all saw the people who were acknowledged tonight—the legends, the past Olympians, and especially those recognized alongside him like Mr. Basketball June Mar (Fajardo), who’s already a legend in basketball, and Kevin Quiambao, one of our up-and-coming athletes bringing glory to the country,” De Guzman told Inquirer. “Having her name included on that list is a huge deal and very inspiring for us to keep striving to do better.”
READ: Jia De Guzman stresses on continuity for Alas Pilipinas
The PVL eight-time Best Setter attributed her success to all the people behind her journey, including her husband Miguel, whom she considers her anchor, and her family and all the teammates and coaches she worked with.
De Guzman also relished the birth of Alas, made possible by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation headed by president Tats Suzara, as well as the support given to her by Rebisco when she decided to take her act to the Japan V.League.
‘Very important’ year for Alas Pilipinas
FILE– Alas Pilipinas setter Jia de Guzman. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
“To the very talented and hard-working members of Alas Pilipinas from the staff headed by Coach Jorge Debrito and of course my wonderful teammates. It was surreal working with all of you last year and making history together,” said the Best Setter of AVC Challenge Cup and SEA V.League 2024 first leg.
As De Guzman and Alas Pilipinas look to end the SEA Games medal drought for volletball, De Guzman ended her inspiring speech by eminding all athletes that their hardest and lowest points matter most.
“It’s when we see why we do what we do. Why do we keep waking up at 4 a.m every day? Why do we train twice, thrice, even more times every day? Why do we power through fatigue, exhaustion, and even injuries? And why do we keep playing even when we’re far away from our families?” De Guzman said.
“Our why becomes our purpose. It gives us strength to power through even when things are hard, when things are painful, because it makes everything worth it. 2025 will be a very important year for us in Alas Pilipinas. So to share with you our why, our purpose, it is to take this privilege, do our best to inspire, and open more doors for the next generation of volleyball athletes to come.”