Jia De Guzman will be playing as an import abroad for the first time in her storied volleyball career.
The 28-year-old setter from Creamline has signed a deal with Denso Airybees of Japan V.League Division 1, as announced on the team’s Instagram page last Thursday.
She will be joining Jaja Santiago, who recently transferred to JT Marvelous in Japan’s premier league.
“I am really looking forward to contributing everything I can to the Denso Airybees. Alongside the coaches, staff, and my teammates, we will do our very best to train, fight, and win this season!” said De Guzman about her new journey.
The Airybees finished the 2022-23 season in sixth place after amassing a 14-19 win-loss record in the 12-team field. De Guzman will share playmaking duties with Ayane Furuichi and Yuka Yamaguchi.
De Guzman is set to make her V.League debut on October 28 against the defending champion NEC Red Rockets. A week later, on November 4, will mark the first meeting between De Guzman and Santiago as Denso and JT Marvelous collide.
De Guzman is an eight-time Best Setter in the Premier Volleyball League.
Meanwhile, the Airybees also announced the signing of Brazilian wing spiker Rosamaria Montibeller.
With the addition of De Guzman to the roster, there are now six Filipino volleyball players competing abroad.
Iris Tolenada, MJ Phillips, and Marck Espejo are in South Korea for the Korean Volleyball League, while Bryan Bagunas is in Taiwan.
