DECORATED playmaker Jia De Guzman has secured eight PVL Best Setter titles and owns the all-time record for sets in a single match with 71 excellent sets.
Following two-and-a-half years away, De Guzman rejoined the Creamline Cool Smashers.
The 10-time league champions initially secured a qualifying round incentive with a 6-3 preliminary record. However, a tough loss to the Cignal Super Spikers ultimately forced them into the play-in round.
De Guzman, who played two seasons with the Denso Airybees in the Japan V.League and steered Alas Pilipinas to historic feats, shared her thoughts on how the game has changed in the Philippine volleyball scene.
Cignal’s playmaker Gel Cayuna made a double-double performance of 35 excellent sets, along with 11 points, to deny Creamline an entry into the semifinals.
The 30-year-old De Guzman, who made 31 excellent sets in a loss against Cignal, has nothing to say but admiration for Cayuna.
“It’s a huge thing when setters are also part of the offense. It leaves the opponent guessing. Gel played very well today, with the help of her teammates. I love seeing the evolution of setters here in the Philippines,” she told The Manila Times.
“The league gets more exciting. I am excited to see the upcoming games.”
De Guzman leads the Best Setter tally with 196 running sets made, averaging 5.44 points per set.
Out of 10 of Creamline’s championships in the PVL, De Guzman has shared in seven of those.