For Jia de Guzman, setting is about more than delivering the perfect ball to an attacker.
It is also about finding ways to make every player fit into a system, especially when the faces on the court and the challenges across the net can change from one match to the next.
The eight-time Premier Volleyball League Best Setter believes this responsibility has become even more important in the 2026 All-Filipino Conference Siklab series, where Creamline must stay flexible while preserving the identity that has made it one of the league’s most successful teams.
With lineups and matchups presenting different challenges, De Guzman stressed that preparation must go hand in hand with the ability to make adjustments once the game begins.
“I think in this tournament kasi you don't know kasi kung — number one, kung sino ‘yung mga kasama mo sa court. And number two, kung sino ‘yung mga kalaban mo on the other side of the court,” De Guzman said.
Back with the Cool Smashers after fulfilling her commitments with Alas Pilipinas, De Guzman has quickly resumed her role as the team's playmaker, orchestrating the offense while ensuring that every player on the floor can contribute.
She credited Creamline's coaching staff for maintaining a reliable system that allows the team to function regardless of the personnel deployed, giving the Cool Smashers the freedom to respond to their opponents without losing their composure or structure.
“So, preparation-wise, may game plan, but we also have to be flexible na kung ano ‘yung mangyayari sa loob ng court,” said De Guzman, who recorded 17 excellent sets in Creamline's 25-19, 16-25, 26-24, 25-17 victory over ZUS Coffee on Saturday night.
“Dapat matuto kaming mag-respond with in-game adjustments, and our coaches have been doing very well with that na kahit sinong ipasok sa amin sa loob, rock solid ‘yung system namin and anyone can perform at any time,” she added.
For De Guzman, the real test comes when opponents begin making their own moves. Rather than getting caught up in the uncertainty of changing combinations, Creamline must concentrate on recognizing those adjustments and finding the appropriate response.
“Yung kailangan naman naming problemahin is kung ano yung gagawin nung kabila and paano kami magre-respond to that. So ‘yun ‘yung challenge every game we go into, every set na we go into, na may gagawin ‘yung kabila paano naman kami kikilos,” she said.
The defending champions have made a promising start to their campaign, winning their first three matches to remain unbeaten alongside Nxled.
Creamline opened its title defense with a straight-sets victory over Akari before overcoming Galeries Tower and ZUS Coffee in four sets. Through those matches, the Cool Smashers have conceded just two sets, showing their ability to recover from difficult stretches and close out games.
De Guzman, however, knows that sustaining that momentum requires more than relying on familiar combinations. As the team's setter, she sees it as her responsibility to bring the best out of whoever the coaching staff assigns to the court.
“As a setter na lang, ‘yung sagot ko na ako... Kung sino man ‘yung piliin nila coach na isama sa amin, trabaho namin na paganahin sila or to find a way to pull the strings and make everyone work under the same system,” she said.
That approach extends to her fellow setters Kyle Negrito and Donna Mostoles, with De Guzman emphasizing that their job is to adapt to the players around them rather than dictate who gets to play.
“It's always been like that naman for me and Kyle, and also Donna, na we don't choose who plays with us, but it is our job na to play with who is given to us,” she added.
