Team captain Jia De Guzman is excited to have fellow playmaker and Colegio San Agustin product Julia Coronel by her side as they represent Alas Pilipinas Women in the upcoming AVC Challenge Cup.
De Guzman and Coronel, who both played under coach Grace Vita at CSA, will represent the country together, carrying the responsibility of facilitating the offense for an Alas Pilipinas team filled with PVL and UAAP stars.
Jia De Guzman is honored that the young guns of Alas Pilipinas Women have been excited to team up with her! 🏐 🇵🇭#Sambansa #PVL2024
🎥 @jonashdcd /Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/ymrx85fNJK
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) May 20, 2024
“Si Julia (Coronel) kasi since we came from the same high school, I’ve seen her when she was starting out in CSA and seeing her grow up so much in the UAAP, leading her own team in La Salle,” said De Guzman during the national team’s press conference for the AVC Challenge Cup.
“Sobrang nakaka-proud din how she carries herself and lahat ng natutunan niya from our coach before and all of her experience,” she added.
The Denso Airybees setter, who now serves as a mentor to Coronel, said she is also excited to learn from the La Salle skipper as they will be roommates for this tournament.
“I’m very happy to play with her and excited din ako kasi roomates kami, marami kaming pwedeng pagusapan, and marami rin akong pwedeng matutunan from her,” said De Guzman.
Coronel, who revealed in a previous interview that she is thrilled to learn from De Guzman, said that the eight-time PVL Best Setter has been very helpful to her both on and off the court.
Julia Coronel opens up about her experience playing alongside her ‘idol’ Jia De Guzman at Alas Pilipinas Women 🏐🇵🇭#Sambansa #UAAPSeason86
🎥 @jonashdcd /Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/JCZPqlH5ny
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) May 20, 2024
“Very helpful si ate (Jia). Sobrang nakakainspire din siyang ka-teammate. Kasi grabe din siyang mag-motivate inside the court and outside. Yeah, it’s easy to approach her, it’s easy to talk to her kaya sobrang navavalue ko yun. And ngayon, roommate ko siya,” said Coronel.
With the tournament just days away, Coronel mentioned that the entire team is still in the process of building chemistry and learning each other’s games.
“Yun nga, so far, we’re just really trying to get a feel of each other, especially yun nga, like what you’ve said, limited time lang din yung naging preparation namin,” said the incoming La Salle senior.
“So, at this point, we’re still trying to build chemistry with each other and yun nga, magamay yung isa’t isa.”
