Jia De Guzman set for PH team return in AVC Challenge Cup

Jia De Guzman attends Game 2 of the PVL All-Filipino Conference Finals.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — After a fruitful stint in Japan, Jia De Guzman will play for the Philippine women’s volleyball team in the AVC Challenge Cup from May 22 to 29 at Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Arriving in Manila a few days ago, De Guzman finally got her time to watch Creamline live when it tries to clinch its eighth title in Game 2 of the 2024 All-Filipino Conference Finals on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The eight-time PVL Best setter confirmed that she will be making her return to the national team. She last saw action for the Philippine team in the 2023 Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia.

“Yes, I’m going to play in the upcoming AVC Challenge Cup and I know, [we have a] very little preparation but we’re going to give our best despite that,” De Guzman told reporters. “All the time, I’m ready to step up for the flag, so excited ako to play for the Philippines again.”

READ: Jia De Guzman, Denso Airybees win Japan V.Cup title

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Jia De Guzman is back! She will cheer for Creamline in Game 2.

The setter will play for the national team in the AVC Challenge Cup this May. #PVL2024 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/frQPTA2apE

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) May 12, 2024

The Philippine National Volleyball Federation has yet to release the complete roster, composed of PVL stars, under coach Jorge Souza de Brito, who will be having his last dance with the nationals.

The national team, mostly composed of Akari players, placed seventh in the previous Challenge Cup. De Guzman and the Cool Smashers represented the country in the AVC Cup for Women and delivered the country’s best finish, sixth place, at Philsports Arena two years ago.

The four-time PVL Finals MVP is out to share her fruitful stint with the Denso Airybees, winning a championship in the V.Cup and runner-up Kurowashiki tournament and fifth in the V.League Division 1.

READ: PVL: Jia De Guzman ruled out of All-Filipino return for Creamline

“It was pretty challenging but I’m really grateful that I got to learn from the Japanese style of volleyball kasi ang dami talagang matututunan from them,” De Guzman said. “Hopefully, mashare ko sa Pilipinas yung lahat ng alam ko.”

De Guzman also relished her experience facing V.League mainstay Jaja Santiago in a couple of games in Japan.

“I’ve seen Jaja play. I’ve heard her communicate with her Japanese teammates, she’s very fluent na with Japanese at sobrang familiar na niya sa Japanese style of volleyball,” she said. “I’m really proud of her because everyone knows she’s on her way to playing for the Japan national team. She’s worked hard for that but she’s still the same humble and funny Jaja.”