Creamline Cool Smashers and Alas Pilipinas star Jia De Guzman. Photo from PVL Images.MANILA — Jia De Guzman will finally don the Creamline Cool Smashers’ kits once again.
After almost two years with Denso Airybees in Japan’s SV.League, one of the country’s top playmakers will be finally making her return to the Premier Volleyball League (PVL), she confirmed on Tuesday.
“Of course, I’m going back to Creamline,” the Ateneo de Manila University product said during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum in Manila.
This is a welcome sight for the Cool Smashers who recently faltered against the Petro Gazz Angels in the 2025 All-Filipino Conference as they look to regain their spot at the top of the PVL landscape.
However, while De Guzman’s comeback is now in the works, the Alas Pilipinas team captain emphasized that her focus, at least for now, is still with the National team.
“I went to a team that knows that I have responsibilities also for the flag,” she insisted. “So right now, I’m very grateful because they’re allowing me to focus entirely on Alas Pilipinas.”
“We know that we have a responsibility to the country also, so I’m very grateful sa Creamline,” the eight-time PVL Best Setter added.
The Alas women just made history in the recently-concluded AVC Women’s Nations Cup wherein they made the championship stage for the first time in over six decades.
And with the silver finish that the Jorge de Brito-coached squad earned in Vietnam, De Guzman wants to continue building on their historic finish especially since Alas still has the VTV Cup, the Southeast Asian V.League, and the Southeast Asian Games lined up before they conclude their 2025 campaign.
“Right now, it’s really National team period,” pointed out De Guzman, who was hailed as the AVC Women’s Nation Cup Best setter. “Klaro naman po yung usapan namin ng management that while the Alas players are needed by the National team, our focus is here.”
”Very clear naman ito with the management and they are very supportive because they know that when they send us to the National team, we come back with better experience that can help in our campaign,” she added.
Given this, when will De Guzman actually don Creamline’s Pink and White in the PVL anew?
“In terms of timeline, I can’t answer anything yet, but when I do, I’ll make sure to let everyone know,” she explained.
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