VIGAN, ILOCOS SUR — After two years of competing overseas and leading the national team, Jia De Guzman is finally coming home—and her Creamline sisters couldn’t feel more thrilled.
Alyssa Valdez and Jema Galanza expressed their excitement over De Guzman’s return to the Cool Smashers in the Premier Volleyball League, following her recent campaign with Alas Pilipinas in the 2025 AVC Women’s Nations Cup.
The eight-time PVL Best Setter formally announced her return to Creamline after wrapping up national team duties. She has already rejoined team functions and reunited with her longtime teammates.
De Guzman last suited up for Creamline in the 2023 PVL Invitational Conference before heading to Japan to play two full seasons with the Denso Airybees in the V.League.
She parted ways with the Japanese club earlier this year and quickly turned her attention to the Philippine women’s national team. Recently, she helped steer Alas to a historic silver-medal finish in the Nations Cup — earning her second straight Best Setter award in the process.
Now, with her international stint behind her, De Guzman is ready to return to her “mother club” — a moment Valdez has long been looking forward to.
“Well, very very excited and very happy and thankful. Jia’s been part of the team since day one and it’s always very special na we’re still gonna be so intact din as a team,” said Valdez, a three-time conference MVP who has played alongside De Guzman since their collegiate days in Ateneo.
Galanza, for her part, admitted that she missed playing with De Guzman and is eager to soak in everything her teammate has learned from her time in Japan.
“Happy po and siyempre excited din sa magiging journey niya sa Alas. But ‘yun nga, nami-miss na rin namin siya. Alam namin marami siyang mashe-share siya sa’min sa mga natutunan niya sa Japan and excited kami na makabalik siya sa amin,” said the one-time conference MVP.
Both Valdez and Galanza also expressed pride and support for De Guzman, Bernadeth Pons, and Dij Rodriguez as they continue their national team commitments. They noted how much it means for Creamline to have several players representing the country on the international stage.
“We’re actually praying, cheering for her for the whole Alas team, the men’s team, and all the national teams, beach volleyball also with Dij and Pons. Napakasayang malaman na kumpletong kumpleto kami as a team, as a family,” said Valdez.
#WATCH: Alyssa Valdez and Jema Galanza share their excitement for the #PVLOnTour — and the joy of having Jia De Guzman back with Creamline 🏐
📹 @jonashdcd /Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/PCAnfmik42
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) June 21, 2025
