After nearly three years away, eight-time Premier Volleyball League Best Setter Jia de Guzman is finally back — and she insists her long-awaited return comes without pressure, even as the league has evolved during her absence.
De Guzman spent her time away playing for Japan’s Denso Airybees in the S.V. League, where she captured a V.Cup title, before returning home to focus on national team duties with Alas Pilipinas.
“The team is not making me feel any form of pressure at all. They also know na ako, pabalik lang din ako,” said the 30-year-old playmaker.
Now back with Creamline, de Guzman is stepping into a PVL landscape that looks vastly different from the one she left, with new teams emerging and the competition fiercer than ever.
She shared that she is eager to return to the court, test herself against the league’s best, and help her team compete at the highest level once again.
“Actually, magti-three years na akong wala sa PVL, but it doesn’t mean I wasn’t watching when the other teams were evolving also. So very excited talaga ako to see how much PVL has changed, and I would really love to embrace the challenge, so excited kami lahat maglaro,” she added.
Despite her hunger, de Guzman admitted that she is still finding her rhythm as she reintegrates into Creamline’s system after a long absence.
From learning how her teammates have adapted over the past three years to adjusting to the pace of the current PVL, she said the focus is on gradually getting back into sync and contributing wherever the team needs her most.
“Kasi now na maraming bumalik sa team, and we’re just trying to get used to play with whoever yung makasama namin sa loob ng court. So whatever the coaches ask from us, whether it’s me inside or Kyle [Negrito] inside, we’re just really ready to support each other,” she said.
De Guzman is confident that once she is fully back in rhythm, she will be ready to deliver whatever the team requires.
Whether it is running the offense, setting up the hitters, or providing leadership on the court, her priority, she said, is helping Creamline perform at its best while supporting her teammates in every way possible.
“With all of the teams stepping up, with a new Creamline team coming together, parang I’m also trying to find my way with the team. Parang hopefully, yung mga natutunan din namin sa international, madala ko rin sa PVL and sa Creamline,” the Alas captain said.
“But at the same time, whatever the team needs from me, I will be ready to support and do my best to deliver.”
#WATCH: VERY EXCITED TO SEE HOW MUCH THE PVL HAS CHANGED 🏐
Jia De Guzman can’t wait to see the #PVL2026 competition after being away from Creamline for the past three years#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/OLCUP9v3jm
📹 @jonashdcd /Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/SzEQm1EzqB
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) January 28, 2026
