PLAYING alongside Jia de Guzman is a familiarity Alyssa Valdez knows all too well.
Despite roughly two and a half years of distance and time apart, the ‘JiaLy’ tandem continues to run like clockwork, a connection that has remained second nature for both stars.
Their shared journey, marked by triumphs and struggles both on and off the court, has strengthened what many consider one of Philippine volleyball’s most formidable partnerships.
READ: Alyssa Valdez doesn't mind new bench role for Creamline
“It never gets old talaga playing with Jia,” said Valdez.
“Iba siyempre ‘yung trauma bonding since back in college. I’d say iba yung sacrifices we’ve made all throughout the years we’ve been playing volleyball.
It’s just so nice to see her really commanding in terms of kung ano ‘yung mga gusto niya rin sa team namin and gusto niya pang i-improve sa kanya as a setter and as a teammate.”
From their championship runs with Ateneo to their continued success with Creamline, Valdez and de Guzman have shared five PVL titles and two historic UAAP crowns, forming a connection that has long defined winning teams.
That chemistry remained intact even during de Guzman’s stint overseas with the Denso Airybees in the Japan SV.League, with their partnership quickly rekindling upon her return.
Reuniting with fellow Ateneo champions Bea de Leon, Denden Lazaro-Revilla and Ella de Jesus has also made training and competing with the Cool Smashers feel both refreshing and inspiring for Valdez.
“I’m always very excited to actually go to practice and train pa rin dahil alam mo ‘yun, it’s been a while since we’ve played altogether,” she said.
“Iba rin talaga sa practice pag kumpleto kami. Most especially, nandiyan na rin si [Bernadeth] Pons, si Dij [Rodriguez], and lahat talaga naging kumpleto na.”
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