Jia de Guzman has officially rejoined Alas Pilipinas training, expressing excitement to mentor the national team’s new pool of players and share her international experience ahead of the 2025 AVC Challenge Cup.
Alas Pilipinas captain Jia de Guzman has officially joined the national team’s training, bringing her veteran leadership and wealth of international experience to a revamped 33-player pool brimming with rising stars.
Fresh off her final season in the Japan V.League with the Denso Airybees, De Guzman suited up for training under head coach Jorge de Brito on Thursday, May 15, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
The multi-time national team setter expressed excitement over the direction the program is taking, especially with a new wave of talent entering the fold.
“Of course, I'm really excited, the team is really excited kasi this is what we were hoping for—na kung ano 'yung na-start namin last year, matuloy namin at mapalaki,” De Guzman told reporters.
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The 29-year-old playmaker had earlier dropped by Game 2 of the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Finals, eager to see the league’s new standouts—many of whom are now part of the Alas Pilipinas wishlist.
These include National University stars Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, Lams Lamina, and Vange Alinsug, as well as La Salle’s Angel Canino and Shevana Laput.
“So that’s why I’m also here—kasi I’m really excited to watch ‘yung mga names na papasok sa team, and I’m sure they’re also excited to come and learn with us in Alas,” she said. “We also need to start training na rin talaga.”
[ALSO READ: Lams Lamina gushes moment with Jia de Guzman during NU’s UAAP title win: ‘Kinikilig ako’]
De Guzman, considered one of the country’s best setters, said she looks forward to sharing her learnings from Japan with the next generation of national team hopefuls.
“Well, Japan naman kasi, everyone knows na high-level volleyball talaga, so ang daming attention to detail na I can share with the girls,” she explained. “But at the same time, marami din akong matutunan from them kasi volleyball is really evolving.”
“Like, if we compare the UAAP now to UAAP when we were playing, malaki na ‘yung difference. So give and take din kami when it comes to Alas.”
[ALSO READ: Jia de Guzman to part ways with Denso Airybees after two seasons in Japan]
With her name often cited by younger players as someone they look up to, De Guzman said it’s an honor that motivates her even more to lead by example.
“Siyempre nakaka-taba ng puso. It's very flattering and I’m really grateful kasi it goes both ways,” she said. “I’m so excited to play and learn with whoever is willing to come and join Alas, kasi there’s really so much to gain from the experience.”
Alas Pilipinas will begin its campaign in the 6th AVC Challenge Cup for Women from June 7 to 14.