MANILA, Philippines - Creamline remains without Jia de Guzman as it tries to defend its PVL Reinforced Conference throne.
De Guzman, who spent the last two years of her professional career in Japan, will not see action in the fourth and final tournament of the 2024-2025 season owing to a management decision.
"I think our management has decided that Jia has to sit this conference out," said Creamline team captain Alyssa Valdez on Thursday, October 2.
An eight-time Best Setter in the PVL, De Guzman last played for the Cool Smashers over two years ago when she helped the team finish runner-up in the 2023 Invitational Conference.
In the conference prior, De Guzman steered Creamline to the 2023 First All-Filipino Conference title, even earning Finals MVP honors.
The 30-year-old playmaker then took her act to the Japan V. League, where she played two seasons for the Denso Airybees.
De Guzman has since turned her focus on the national team after parting ways Denso, guiding Alas Pilipinas to monumental feats, including a historic silver-medal finish in the AVC Women's Volleyball Nations Cup back in June.
"The management will explain that. But the main point is Jia has been playing continuously for the past three years," said Cool Smashers head coach Sherwin Meneses in Filipino.
Meneses said he would have liked to have De Guzman back as Creamline looks to return to its championship ways, with its last title coming in the 2024 season when it became the first PVL team to complete a Grand Slam.
But Meneses trusts Kyle Negrito and backup setters Rhea Dimaculangan and Mafe Galanza to get the job done.
"Is there regret? Of course there is. Having Jia play for us is a big factor but maybe now is not the time. Maybe next year," said Meneses.
The Cool Smashers will be reinforced by American import Courtney Schwan for their title defense. - Rappler.com