Jonathan Frederic De Santos

Alas Pilipinas captain Jia de Guzman at the AVC Nations Cup 2025. Asian Volleyball Confederation

Article (news)

Dyan Castillejo

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1750418481689alas.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Alas Pilipinas captain Jia de Guzman at the AVC Nations Cup 2025. Asian Volleyball Confederation"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Alas Pilipinas captain Jia de Guzman at the AVC Nations Cup 2025. <em>Asian Volleyball Confederation</em></span></span></span></div><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>“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.”</p><p>Their roadmap involves building a step-by-step progress, something she sees that were done by other countries with more established volleyball programs.</p><p>“We want to take the same steps they did before becoming strong national teams,” she explained.</p><p>The eight-time PVL Best Setter is extremely proud of the progress, dedication, and result of the national team&#x27;s campaign in the recently concluded AVC Nations Cup 2025.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/volleyball/2025/6/14/ph-clinches-breakthrough-2nd-place-finish-in-avc-women-s-nations-cup-2305"><strong>READ: Historic silver: PH clinches breakthrough 2nd place finish in AVC Women&#x27;s Nations Cup<br/></strong></a></div><p>“We didn’t play together for a year. We were just trying to find our rhythm.”</p><p>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.</p><p>“Next thing we knew, we were already fighting for a chance in the finals,” she said.</p><p>“Last year we got a bronze, and it wasn’t easy to get that. So we knew anything better would be harder.”</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/volleyball/2025/6/20/valdez-excited-to-team-up-anew-with-comebacking-de-guzman-1503"><strong>READ: &#x27;Jia is Jia&#x27;: Valdez excited to team up anew with comebacking de Guzman<br/></strong></a></div><p>With the current national team season underway, she clarified that her opportunities to play for the Cool Smashers would be on hold.</p><p>“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.”</p><p>De Guzman said they will continue to work hard and aim for the best at the SEA Games in December.</p><p>&quot;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.&quot;</p><div><strong><br/></strong></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TIflxLtpwSI??si=K_knFBu4DPgmi2pu&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>“You’re exposed to different countries playing at a higher level,” Kapitana Jia said. “Even when you reach the top, you want to keep learning.” #AlasPilipinas</p>

“You’re exposed to different countries playing at a higher level,” Kapitana Jia said. “Even when you reach the top, you want to keep learning.” #AlasPilipinas

Jia de Guzman bares vision for national team: 'We want to keep learning'

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Jia de Guzman bares vision for national team: 'We want to keep learning'

Dyan Castillejo,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 20, 2025 07:22 PM PHT

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