ALAS Pilipinas captain Jia de Guzman sent a strong message following their bronze-medal finish in the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup for Women: continuity in the national team program is a must.
READ: Alas players, staff rewarded with P200,000 each for podium finish
In a frank reflection after a milestone for Philippine volleyball, de Guzman refused to describe her current squad as pioneers of the sport’s success simply because national teams of the past blazed the trail for Alas.
It’s just that the momentum built by those sides wasn’t sustained - nor built on - moving forward. And that can't happen again.
Continuity after history
“This is a big milestone, but at the same time, we also had milestones before. Hindi lang natin natuloy 'yung momentum. So that's what we're praying for now,” said de Guzman.
“Hindi naman ito nagsimula sa’min. Sana po, tuloy-tuloy 'yung suporta para tuloy-tuloy rin po kaming makapaglaro at makapag-improve as a team."
Leading hastily-formed Alas just weeks after her maiden overseas stint in Japan was a tall order in itself. But the onetime Creamline and Ateneo playmaker proved her worth with the AVC bronze medal as well as the Best Setter award.
"I'm so overwhelmed right now kasi unang-una, pinaka-proud ako kasi nakapag-bronze nga yung team. Biggest achievement 'to for all of us. We came in this tournament not expecting anything and now, we're bringing home a bronze medal, so sobrang proud ko sa bawat member ng team talaga and it wouldn't be possible kung may isang kulang sa'min," she said.
"And this one (Best Setter award) is a big bonus and I owe it also to lahat ng na-experience ko ever since I started playing, sa lahat po ng coaches and players na na-encounter ko. They made me who I am today. Maraming salamat po."
Follow the leader
All these, even as the Alas skipper bared they only had roughly three days or so of proper preparation before battling it out with the rest of the continent’s aces.
“Sobrang wala akong masabi kasi ilang days lang talaga yung preparation namin as a team na buo. Mabibilang lang sa isang kamay, marami na yung tatlong araw,” de Guzman shared.
“We just went into this tournament at sabi namin, kung ano 'yung ma-improve natin, kung anong mapupulot nating lessons bawat game, we’ll take it. All the errors, iwan na lang natin kasi good learning opportunity talaga ‘tong tournament na ‘to."
And the best part of the entire AVC experience for de Guzman - the wizened veteran at just 29 years old?
Playing with talent from the college ranks to the pros.
“Playing with everyone in the team (has been really special). As in. I’m just really blessed to be able to play with such talented girls from different generations and a very talented coaching staff,” she said.
“Sobrang thankful ko lang talaga na I was given the opportunity to be the leader of this team. It was such a great team.”
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