Alas Pilipinas captain Jia de Guzman at the AVC Nations Cup 2025. Asian Volleyball Confederation
MANILA — Alas Pilipinas captain Jia de Guzman shared her vision for the national team, saying that being exposed to stronger volleyball programs will make them stronger.
De Guzman was in attendance at an event by her home PVL club Creamline on Thursday, as well as its sponsor Allianz Life PNB Life.
“You’re exposed to different countries playing at a higher level,” De Guzman said. “Even when you reach the top, you want to keep learning.”
Their roadmap involves building a step-by-step progress, something she sees that were done by other countries with more established volleyball programs.
“We want to take the same steps they did before becoming strong national teams,” she explained.
The eight-time PVL Best Setter is extremely proud of the progress, dedication, and result of the national team's campaign in the recently concluded AVC Nations Cup 2025.
READ: Historic silver: PH clinches breakthrough 2nd place finish in AVC Women's Nations Cup
“We didn’t play together for a year. We were just trying to find our rhythm.”
What started as a modest goal to rebuild chemistry quickly turned into a promising run -- a silver medal, the best finish by the Philippines at the continental level.
“Next thing we knew, we were already fighting for a chance in the finals,” she said.
“Last year we got a bronze, and it wasn’t easy to get that. So we knew anything better would be harder.”
READ: 'Jia is Jia': Valdez excited to team up anew with comebacking de Guzman
With the current national team season underway, she clarified that her opportunities to play for the Cool Smashers would be on hold.
“It’s national team season,” she said. “We can show up for marketing, maybe a game, but we’re not allowed to play. The focus is really on national team tournaments.”
De Guzman said they will continue to work hard and aim for the best at the SEA Games in December.
"It’s easy for people to say, ‘Go for gold next.’ But it’s a long-term process. We’re only on our second year as a team."
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