Jia De Guzman and the rest of the Creamline Cool Smashers aren't pressuring themselves ahead of heightened expectations come the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
After nearly three years away from the league, Jia De Guzman is stepping back into a dramatically different landscape as part of a retooled Creamline squad come the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
Despite her resume as a former Japan V.League import and current Alas Pilipinas captain, De Guzman said the Cool Smashers has made her transition back pressure-free.
“The team is not making me feel any form of pressure at all. They also know na ako, pabalik lang din ako,” De Guzman told reporters at the sidelines of the All-Filipino Conference press conference.
“Although yes, may international experience, it’s another thing to try to bring it into the Creamline system and mag-translate sa locals namin. We’ll see.”
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A league that has changed
Creamline is looking to return to the mountaintop after failing to defend their All-Filipino, Invitational, and Reinforced Conference crown in 2025.
The 10-time PVL champions brought back De Guzman and former MVP Bernadeth Pons while integrating new additions and returning players recovering from injuries.
“Ngayon kasi, we’re really taking it one day at a time,” she said.
“The whole team, lalo na 'yung mga pabalik lang din from injury—sila Pons din and our new additions sa team—everyone’s just trying to find their way, find their groove to play together.”
Though absent from the league, De Guzman said she never lost sight of how much the PVL evolved, particularly with the rise of young local stars like Bella Belen and Thea Gagate and Fil-foreign MVPs Brooke Van Sickle and Savi Davison.
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“Actually, mag-three years na akong wala sa PVL, but it doesn’t mean I wasn’t watching when the other teams were evolving also,” she shared. “So very excited talaga ako to see how much the PVL has changed, and I would really love to embrace the challenge.”
Finding her place in a new Creamline
As she re-enters the league, De Guzman admitted she’s still discovering her role within the group.
“That’s a question that I’m asking myself also,” De Guzman said. “With all of the teams stepping up, with a new Creamline team coming together, parang I’m also trying to find my way with the team.”
“Hopefully, yung mga natutunan din namin sa international madala ko rin sa PVL and sa Creamline. But at the same time, whatever the team needs from me, I will be ready to support and do my best to deliver,” she ended.
The Cool Smashers will open their All-Filipino title hunt against the PLDT High Speed Hitters next Thursday at the FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan.
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Kiko Demigillo’s journey in sports storytelling began with a deep passion for games and athletes, which eventually grew into a full-fledged career.
Now a dedicated sportswriter, Kiko covers a wide range of beats for One Sports, including the PVL, UAAP, PBA, and various international tournaments.