Jia De Guzman could not ask for more from Alas Pilipinas Women, believing the team gave everything on the court despite their semifinal loss to Vietnam on Sunday, which sent them to the bronze medal match of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games.
The Philippines showed promise after a competitive opening set, but the Trần Thị Thanh Thúy-led Vietnamese squad’s height and experience proved too much, as they went on to claim a 25-17, 25-14, 25-17 victory to advance to the gold medal round.
Despite the setback, De Guzman said she was proud of her teammates for fighting until the very end.
“Everyone wanted to give our best today no matter what the results were. We know the pressure was on their side more than ours, and we wanted to do our best to apply more pressure on the other side,” said the eight-time PVL Best Setter.
“But siyempre, knowing Vietnam — they’re the same as Thailand — they’re a powerhouse, they wouldn’t let up. But yung hingi lang talaga namin sa team is, kahit anumang mangyari, mapuntusan kami o makapuntos kami, hindi kami titigil, and yun naman yung ginawa namin hanggang dulo,” she added.
(C) POC Media
De Guzman highlighted her teammates’ fearlessness as a major positive, noting how everyone continued asking for the ball and showing eagerness to contribute even as Vietnam pulled away.
For the 30-year-old playmaker, that willingness to step up under pressure—rather than shrink from the moment—was proof that the team never stopped believing. More than anything, that was enough for her.
“Everyone was really brave today. As in, everyone was asking for sets, everyone was doing their best to keep the ball up, and we couldn’t ask for anything more. I think it just comes down to polishing and controlling our basic errors. Hopefully tomorrow nga talaga ma-execute namin,” De Guzman said.
“As long as hindi pa umaabot ng 25 yung kalaban, as long as hindi pa pumipito yung referee, we can’t let up. That’s part of giving your best. Kung hindi man manalo, basta hanggang dulo lumalaban yun lang yung mahihiling ko.”
Looking ahead to their final chance to end a 20-year medal drought, De Guzman said she wants to see the same fire from the squad as they prepare to battle Indonesia for the bronze on Monday.
“Minor adjustments lang naman. We know we only have one chance at this podium finish — that’s tomorrow. Of course, we were gunning for a finals appearance, but this time around, our minds are really set on that bronze medal. We’ll do everything we can to get that.”
