After nearly two years abroad, veteran setter Jia De Guzman is making her long-awaited comeback to Creamline.
Speaking at the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum on Tuesday, De Guzman confirmed that her return to the Cool Smashers is already in motion. However, she emphasized that her current focus remains on national team duties with Alas Pilipinas—fresh from their historic silver-medal finish in the 2025 AVC Women’s Nations Cup.
“Of course, I’m going back to Creamline but I went to a team also that knows that I have responsibilities also for the flag,” said De Guzman, an eight-time Premier Volleyball League Best Setter awardee.
The 30-year-old playmaker last donned the Creamline jersey during the 2023 PVL Invitational Conference, where the Cool Smashers bowed to Japanese guest team Kurashiki Ablaze in the finals.
In 2023, De Guzman brought her talents overseas to Japan’s SV.League, signing with the Denso Airybees. She spent two seasons with the club and played a key role in their championship campaign in the V.Cup, further solidifying her reputation as one of the best setters in Asia.
Despite her looming return to club action, De Guzman lauded Creamline for giving her the freedom to prioritize the national team, which has enjoyed a resurgence in recent months.
“So right now, I’m very grateful because they’re allowing me to focus entirely on Alas Pilipinas because we know that we have a responsibility to the country also so I’m very grateful sa Creamline,” she added.
Alas Pilipinas is set to compete in the VTV Cup in Vietnam later this month, followed by the Southeast Asian V.League in July, all building up to their campaign in the Southeast Asian Games in December.
De Guzman recently steered the national team to a historic second-place finish at the AVC Women’s Nations Cup in Manila, where she also earned her second straight Best Setter award. The silver medal marked the country’s first podium finish on the Asian stage in 64 years.
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