Jia sets return to Creamline fold

MANILA, Philippines — Creamline recently received welcome news that should send shivers down the opponents’ spines – veteran setter Jia de Guzman is returning.

“I’m going back to Creamline,” said the Alas Pilipinas team captain in yesterday’s PSA Forum at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex where she was accompanied by coach Jorge de Brito, teammate Dell Palomata and PNVF president Ramon Suzara.

De Guzman’s impending comeback should be a breath of fresh air for a team that is raring to bounce back from a runner-up finish in the PVL All-Filipino Conference last April.

The 30-year-old eight-time PVL best setter stressed she’s happy her mother club understands that her priority right now is the national team, which recently captured a historic silver in the AVC Nations Cup in Hanoi, Vietnam.

“I went to a team that knows that I have responsibilities also for the flag,” she said.

De Guzman last played for Creamline two years ago in the Invitational Conference where they succumbed to Japanese guest team Kurashiki Ablaze in the finale before she brought her talents to Japan for the Denso Airybees where she played for two seasons.

Suzara hailed the team for a historic finish in the AVC meet but said the real goal remains.

“Of course the main target for the Alas women’s this year is the SEA Games which is not really in the calendar of the FIVB,” he said. “We’re working hard, and every day we keep on improving from any learning experience in every competition.”

De Guzman said they would fly back to Vietnam to join in the VTV Cup this month as well as the Southeast Asian V.League next month as part of their preparation for the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand in December.