“I’m really excited to see how much the league has changed”: Jia De Guzman on PVL return

Philippine women’s national volleyball team captain Jia De Guzman is set to make her long-awaited return to the Premier Volleyball League (PVL), reuniting with her former club, the Creamline Cool Smashers, after nearly two years competing overseas with the Denso Airybees in the Japan Volleyball League (JVL).

De Guzman’s homecoming marks the end of an extended international stint that saw her pursue elite competition abroad while simultaneously carrying the responsibility of leading the Alas Pilipinas program. Now back in the country’s top professional league, the veteran playmaker is embracing both the familiarity of Creamline and the new realities of a PVL that has evolved significantly during her absence.

“Actually, I have been out of the PVL for almost three years now, but that doesn’t mean I wasn’t watching as the other teams continued to evolve. I’m really excited to see how much the PVL has changed, and I’m more than ready to embrace the challenge. We are all excited to play,” De Guzman said in a media interaction.

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The last time De Guzman suited up for Creamline was during the 2023 PVL Invitational Conference, where the Cool Smashers fell short in the knockout title game against Japanese guest team Kurashiki Ablaze. Since then, the competitive landscape of the league has shifted. Creamline, once the league’s dominant force, was unable to defend all of its championships last year, while several players across the league have emerged as bona fide superstars.

Among them are reigning Most Valuable Player Brooke Van Sickle, PLDT High Speed Hitters standout Savannah Davison, Capital1 Solar Spikers’ Bella Belen, and ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles’ rising middle blocker Thea Gagate—names that now define a deeper, more competitive PVL.

Jia De Guzman looks forward to lead the Creamline Cool Smashers again. #PVL2026 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/NGMgXP2kHz

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) January 28, 2026

“With all of the teams stepping up, with a new Creamline team coming together, I’m also trying to find my way with the team to hopefully share my international experience in the PVL. But at the same time, whatever the team needs from me, I will be ready to support and do my best to deliver,” she added.

De Guzman’s return also adds another layer to Creamline’s already potent roster, particularly in the playmaking department. During her absence, setter Kyle Negrito emerged as a key figure for the Cool Smashers, helping stabilize the team and maintain its championship contention. Rather than viewing the situation as a competition, De Guzman emphasized unity and flexibility within the squad.

“Whatever the coaches ask from us, whether it’s me inside or Kyle inside, we are just really ready to support each other. In the same way that we have a lot of liberos, but whoever’s inside is always supported by those on the outside,” Guzman continued.

While away from the PVL, De Guzman continued to build an impressive résumé overseas. She played a pivotal role in leading the Denso Airybees to the 2023–24 Japan V.League Division 1 Women’s V.Cup title, showcasing her ability to thrive against world-class competition. She capped her stint in Japan with a silver medal finish at the prestigious 72nd Kurowashiki All Japan Volleyball Tournament, further cementing her status as one of Asia’s elite setters.

Her impact was felt just as strongly on the international stage. As captain, De Guzman steered the Philippines to a historic silver medal finish at the 2025 Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Women’s Nations Cup—marking the country’s first podium finish in an Asian women’s volleyball tournament in 64 years and signaling a new era for the national program.

Now back in the PVL, De Guzman brings not only invaluable international experience but also a legacy of sustained excellence with Creamline. Her trophy haul includes eight PVL Best Setter awards, four PVL Finals MVP honors, and seven PVL championships with the Cool Smashers—credentials that make her return one of the most significant storylines of the season.

With De Guzman once again orchestrating the offense, Creamline looks poised to reassert itself amid a league that is deeper, faster, and more competitive than ever—setting the stage for a compelling new chapter in PVL history.

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