Alas Pilipinas setter Jia De Guzman in opposition to India within the AVC Problem Cup 2024.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.internet
MANILA, Philippines — Jia De Guzman skilled world-class volleyball taking part in for the Denso Airybees within the Japan V.League and different tournaments.
However for the Alas Pilipinas captain, nothing beats taking part in at residence in entrance of an ecstatic and passionate crowd.
Regardless of the restricted preparation, the PVL eight-time Greatest Setter has been maintaining the younger Alas Pilipinas collectively and making the nation proud after successful their first two video games in Pool A of the AVC Problem Cup.
And the overwhelming assist of the entire nation has been inspiring her in main and working the performs for the squad.
SCHEDULE: Alas Pilipinas on the AVC Problem Cup 2024
Jia De Guzman after their second win. #AVCChallengeCup @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/TVOWBb7TF6
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) Could 24, 2024
“It feels nice. Kahit gaano katagal akong mawala sa Pilipinas iba pa rin yung maglaro dito sa residence namin and with the house crowd,” mentioned De Guzman after Alas’ 22-25, 25-21, 25-17, 25-18 win over India on Friday earlier than 3,800 spectators at Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
“Sobrang grateful ako sa lahat ng followers, lahat ng sumusuporta samin from right here, from residence, from all around the globe,” she added.
De Guzman, who performed within the Japanese Division 1 league and gained a title within the V.Cup, has been spelling the distinction within the first two video games, vaunting her volleyball brilliance and scoring 5 factors in opposition to the taller Indians.
However the four-time PVL Finals MVP from Creamline has credited their latest success to the eagerness of the younger weapons Angel Canino and Eya Laure, who’re the main scorers of the group, in addition to center blockers Fifi Sharma and Thea Gagate.
READ: AVC Cup: Jia De Guzman’s management brings Alas Pilipinas collectively
“They carry a special sort of energy, completely different sort of fireplace and power contained in the court docket na sobrang kaming seniors din nadadala talaga,” mentioned De Guzman, who’s main the group with Sisi Rondina and Daybreak Macandili-Catindig.
“It’s actually a very good combine of fireside, power, and composure inside the sport particularly we’re actually engaged on our endgames proper now.”
Alas Pilipinas has proven its fast in-game adjustment within the first two video games, dropping the opening set in opposition to Australia and India however nonetheless pulled off back-to-back wins to guide Pool A.
As they attempt to clinch a semis berth in opposition to Iran (1-1) on Saturday at 7 p.m., De Guzman and her teammates will keep prepared for extra changes underneath coach Jorge Souza De Brito.
“Our predominant focus talaga was in-game changes. We’re going up in opposition to groups na hindi pa namin nakakalaban earlier than, we’ve solely seen them in movies,“ she mentioned. “Iba pa rin yung nagvi-viewing kayo, iba pa rin yung nakakalaban niyo sila sa court docket as a result of the opposite groups are additionally adjusting based mostly on how we’re taking part in so fortunately, our group naman nakaka-adjust kaagad.”