Jia De Guzman was overwhelmed with emotions after a very successful stint in the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup for Women.
The captain-setter led Alas Pilipinas to a historic bronze medal—their first at the Asian level. Additionally, she earned the Best Setter award in the 10-nation tournament, which was won by Vietnam.
Despite these achievements and accolades, De Guzman never forgot the teams that represented the country before them.
“Well, this is a big milestone but at the same time, we also had milestones before hindi lang natin natuloy yung momentum so that’s what we’re praying for now,” said the Denso import, recalling successes that previous national teams had.
“Hindi naman ito nagsimula sa amin na talaga. There were others before us also so sana po tuloy-tuloy po yung suporta para tuloy-tuloy rin po kami makapaglaro at makapag-improve as a team,” continued De Guzman on Wednesday night after the awarding ceremony.
De Guzman has been part of numerous national teams for the past decade, competing in both continental and regional tournaments — including the Asian and Southeast Asian Games.
Throughout all those years, continuity has always been an issue in the past concerning the composition of the national team.
With Alas’ accomplishment despite being formed just weeks before the AVC Challenge Cup, De Guzman hopes that this special team will be kept intact.
Thankfully, that is also the PNVF’s plan. According to the federation’s president, Tats Suzara, they intend to retain this squad while also expecting National University’s Alyssa Solomon and Bella Belen, as well as the University of the East’s Casiey Dongallo, to join soon.
The Lady Bulldogs duo begged off from this tournament due to recovery reasons as they had just come off a championship run in the UAAP that ended last May 15, while Dongallo sustained an arm injury.
Speaking about her individual award, De Guzman still thought about the people who made it possible.
“This one (Best Setter award), this one is a big bonus and I owe it also to lahat ng na-experience ko ever since I started playing,” said the eight-time PVL Best Setter.
“Lahat po ng coaches and players na na-encounter ko, they made me who I am today. So, maraming salamat po.”
