Jia De Guzman banks on team chemistry and experience to lead Alas Pilipinas to SEA Games glory

The 33rd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) officially opened in Bangkok, Thailand, on December 9, with the Philippines fielding one of its largest contingents ever—a 1,600-strong delegation competing across multiple sports.

Among them is the Philippine women’s volleyball national team, led by veteran star Jia De Guzman, who is set to make her fourth SEA Games appearance. The Creamline Cool Smashers standout is counting on team chemistry and experience to finally end the country’s two-decade SEA Games medal drought.

“I think every SEA Games, I have experienced na parating may challenge talaga. We are going up against teams na, again, paulit-ulit nating sinasabi, have had time to prepare for this—kasi we know naman when SEA Games will happen; it’s every two years. But it doesn’t change the fact that the girls, the team, the coaches—we work hard every day to do what we can, despite whatever is happening. So, yeah, no matter what happens, lahat ng pwede namin ibuhos sa court, gagawin talaga namin,” De Guzman said in a media interaction.

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Despite a challenging SEA Games record over the past 20 years, Alas Pilipinas has steadily emerged as a strong force in the region. The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) has ensured that the team gained extensive international experience over the past year, giving players the exposure needed to compete at the highest level.

‘MEMORIES LIKE THIS ARE CARRIED FOREVER’ 🫶🇵🇭

Team captain Jia De Guzman shares the #AlasPilipinas Women’s unforgettable opening ceremony experience in Thailand as they gear up to proudly carry the flag in the SEA Games 2025.#SEAGames33 #SEAGames2025 #SEAGamesThailand pic.twitter.com/tX8aT1IpKb

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The results have been encouraging. The squad captured a bronze medal at the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Nations Cup—the country’s best finish in an Asian-level competition. They also earned back-to-back bronze medals in the Southeast Asian Volleyball League and competed in the FIVB Challenger Cup.

In their second year of international competition, the team continued to shine, winning a silver medal at the AVC Nations Cup, finishing fourth at the VTV Cup, and concluding the season with two bronze medals in the SEA V.League.

De Guzman is determined to guide her team toward ending the SEA Games medal drought, while acknowledging the challenge posed by regional powerhouses like Vietnam, Indonesia, and host nation Thailand.

“Well, we have gone up against some of the teams that we are going to play against this SEA Games. So may confidence kami on that. May familiarity na rin kami with each other kasi last year pa kami naglalaro as a team. The system is there. It’s just that, compared to last year’s AVC, where we only had maybe three days to prepare and the whole tournament to make in-game adjustments. This time around, we have had two seasons of being Alas Pilipinas,” she added.

The road to a medal, however, remains challenging. The Philippines is slotted in Group A and opens its campaign against regional powerhouse Thailand on December 11, followed by a crucial match against Singapore on December 12. Only the top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals, where a contender from Group B—Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, or Myanmar—awaits.

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