Jia De Guzman combined steady playmaking with timely scoring as Creamline Cool Smashers defeated ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles for their second win in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
Jia De Guzman has long been known as one of the sharpest floor generals in the league. But in Creamline's four-set win over ZUS Coffee, the veteran setter is showing how scoring can elevate an already lethal offense.
De Guzman once again dictated the tempo, tallying 25 excellent sets while chipping in 10 points of her own to steer the Cool Smashers to their second victory of the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday, February 17.
But for De Guzman, putting the ball away herself is never about chasing numbers.
"I think it's very situational—'yung mga attempts ko to score kasi hindi naman pwedeng iplano yun nang bago pa mag-serve 'yung kalaban na kailangan ko mag-block, kailangan ko mag-score," she explained.
"It always depends on what the first ball is, kung ano 'yung pwesto rin ng kalaban, if the blockers are watching me. So, it's very situational talaga."
More often than not, De Guzman said those decisions are made in an instant, driven by what the play demands rather than the highlight it might produce.
"I think it adds another threat on the net. Kasi, we have a lot of scoring setters who are very capable of being a threat whenever we're in the front line," she said.
"Ayun, parang nagiging unpredictable lang 'yung offense ng team. That's something that we're consciously working on din kaming setters."
Still finding their rhythm
Against ZUS Coffee, that unpredictability was on full display. Creamline shook off a first-set stumble before taking control of the match, 22-25, 25-17, 25-16, 25-18.
Bernadeth Pons led four Cool Smashers in double figures with 19 points, while Tots Carlos had 12. Jema Galanza and De Guzman finished with 11 and 10, respectively.
But despite the 2-1 record and the reassuring performance, De Guzman insists the Cool Smashers are still a work in progress.
"Ako personally, hindi pa. Hindi pa ito 'yun," she admitted. "I think there's still a lot of times na we put ourselves in hard situations na hindi naman talaga dapat."
"Maraming beses na 'yung effort talaga namin at ‘yung kagustuhan naming manalo, nagdi-dictate kung ano 'yung nangyayari sa laro. And a lot of times, today and the past games, nagsa-stop kami. So, 'yun 'yung tina-try naming ayusin din as a team."
[ALSO READ: Jia De Guzman soaks in MOA crowd as Creamline settles into PVL All-Filipino play]
Creamline will go for its third-straight win when it faces the Capital1 Solar Spikers on Saturday, February 21.
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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.