Whatever happens in the next three weeks, Jia De Guzman is confident that her Creamline family will be there to support her if she or she does not gets drafted in the Korean Volleyball League Asian Quota draft.
“Well, I want to be optimistic and I wouldn’t apply naman if I’m not shooting for it,” said De Guzman moments after the Rebisco-backed squad claimed its second consecutive All-Filipino Conference title last Thursday
“Whether I got it or not, I know I have the team’s backing naman.”
De Guzman is not the only Filipina set to take part in the draft as Mylene Paat of Chery Tiggo, Akari’s Dindin Santiago-Manabat, MJ Phillips of Petro Gazz, and the F2 Logistics pair of Iris Tolenada and Majoy Baron are all joining the draft as well.
Over at the men’s side, recently-crowned Finals MVP Marck Espejo of Cignal leads the way alongside teammates JP Bugaoan and Manuel Sumanguid III; and AMC-Cotabato’s Jau Umandal.
“I applied [but] they cancelled the face-to-face tryouts. They are relying on videos and the drafting will happen on third week of April so doon malalaman if a team is interested and getting us yung mga nag-apply,” said De Guzman.
With the draft still weeks away, the former Ateneo star said that she will focus first on the Philippine women’s national volleyball team’s preparations for the upcoming 32nd Southeast Asian Games.
De Guzman will be joined by Creamline teammates Alyssa Valdez, Jema Galanza, Michele Gumabao, Tots Carlos, Celine Domingo, and Kyla Atienza on the national team.
“Right now, I’m really just focusing on the national team also kasi yung next target namin is yung sea games and we’re really trying to get the podium finish,” the eight-time PVL Best Setter said.
“Well, it’s a big reason why very motivated kami to train kasi half of the team is Creamline so we wanna bring also yung natututunan namin sa conference and add more fire power pa from the stars of other teams so excited kami to play with players from other teams din.”
