Jia De Guzman and Pornpun Guedpard last locked horns in the 30th Southeast Asian Games, almost three years ago at the PhilSport Arena.
And in that tournament, De Guzman and the Philippines almost pulled off a set from the Thais, but ultimately the eventual champions took the third and final set at 34-32.
A series of events saw De Guzman returning from the Philippine team for the first time since that edition of the Games and Guedpard steering Thailand to different leagues, including the Volleyball Nations League, no less.
The two then met once more at the very same venue they last met, and the two playmakers were happy to see each other still grew not only as setters but also as leaders for their respective squads.
Guedpard believes that the Philippines, due mostly to De Guzman’s lead, was able to stand toe-to-toe against her squad, making Thailand think twice in most parts of the match.
“The Philippines played very well. They made our team work for every point and we have to keep our guard up. We had to keep our focus and then how to counter and win,” the Thai setter shared.
“This team is different from that SEA Games team, and I think this is better. So, we have to also work for the win.”
Guedpard also shared that she saw how De Guzman continued to develop her game. “She is getting better. I last saw her two or three years ago, and she had better systems now. She is getting to be a good setter, and [the Philippine] team played well in the system.”
De Guzman, for her part, also did not mince on her praises for the long-time Thailand orchestrator.
“She’s a very good setter. She’s the top controller of her team’s offense talaga. Gamay na gamay niya yung plays ng spikers niya talaga. And she serves as a good leader also inside the court; she’s very vocal,” said the six-time PVL Best Setter about the 29-year-old Thai playmaker who plays for Jakarta Mandiri Popsivo Polwan.
“She’s already one of the seniors of her team, so we have to give to her.”
For now, De Guzman and Guedpard will continue to guide their respective sides as far as they can go in this AVC Cup for Women until they meet again.
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