JIA de Guzman, the last Japan-based Filipina player, has parted ways with Denso Airybees after two seasons in the Japan SV.League.
READ: Jaja, Maddie parting ways with Japan SV.League clubs at season's end
The Alas Pilipinas captain’s departure was announced a day after Jaja Santiago’s (Sachi Minowa) exit from Osaka Marvelous, who also had a two-season stint with one of Japan’s powerhouse clubs.
Choco Mucho ace Maddie Madayag also signed off on her first overseas stint with the Kurobe Aqua Fairies days prior.
Following de Guzman’s exit, there won’t be any active Filipina players left in Japan’s top flight volleyball league.
In her parting note to Denso, de Guzman thanked the team that gave her a once-in-a-lifetime chance to let her international career take flight.
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the hardworking staff, great teammates, and fans of Denso for their trust, love, and support over the past two seasons. Everything I learned at Denso has contributed greatly to my growth as a person and as an athlete,” de Guzman said.
“I have made lifelong friends in Japan and I look forward to seeing you all again. Please continue to support Denso Airybees until the end.”
In her two-year stint with Denso, ‘Kapitana Jia’ won the 2023–24 Japan V.League Division 1 Women V.Cup and bagged silver in the 72nd Kurowashiki All Japan Volleyball Tournament.
But before she leaves for good, de Guzman will embark on one last tour of duty with the Airybees in the 2024-25 Japan SV.League where her fourth-ranked team will take on No. 5-seed Saitama Ageo Medics in the quarterfinals.
Alas’ ace is back
From the Land of the Rising Sun, de Guzman now has her sights set back on her homeland to once again lead Alas Pilipinas’ rising stars.
The oncoming conclusion of her first Japan stint opened the door for a swift return to the Philippines where her focus will be on the forthcoming national team tryouts.
“After the SV.League season ends, I will have the opportunity to focus on the 2025 Philippine national team selection, so I would like to express my sincere gratitude for your continued support,” de Guzman said.
“I will continue to cherish this experience and use it in my future activities, especially in contributing to the Philippine volleyball world.”
In last year’s national team run — the country’s first year branded as Alas Pilipinas — pioneering captain de Guzman led the nationals to a hat-trick of bronze medals in the 2024 Asian Women's Volleyball Challenge Cup and in both legs of the 2024 SEA Women's V.League.
She also picked up a pair of best setter awards in both competitions.
But whether a PVL comeback, either with Creamline or elsewhere, for the league’s eight-time best setter and seven-time champion is on the table, nothing is set in stone — at least for now.
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