Jia De Guzman has confirmed her participation in the upcoming Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Challenge Cup for Women later this month.
De Guzman is now back in the country after suiting up for the Denso Airybees, which finished fifth in the recent Japan V.League season.
She told members of the press on Sunday that she will be playing in the tournament, which the Philippines will host from May 22 to May 29 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
“Yes, I’m going to play in the upcoming AVC Challenge Cup,” said the eight-time PVL Best Setter, who was in attendance to watch her former team Creamline in Game 2 of the All-Filipino Conference finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) has yet to announce the final lineup for the upcoming tilt.
However, PVL president Ricky Palou, who is also the vice president of the federation, shared in an earlier interview that they have already come up with a 20-man pool.
De Guzman last suited up for the national team in the 2023 Southeast Asian Games. And she admitted she feels thrilled to come back and play for the Philippines after spending the last several months in Japan.
With only 10 days left before the tourney, the four-time PVL Finals MVP vowed to give her best as she looks to help the Philippines surpass its previous finish in the tournament.
The Nationals, bannered by the core of Akari, finished seventh in the 2023 edition. Meanwhile, in 2022, the Creamline-backed national team, which featured De Guzman, finished sixth – its highest placing in the tournament.
“I know, very little preparation, but we’re going to give our best despite that. All the time naman, ready to step up for the flag, so excited ako to play for the Philippines again.”
