JIA de Guzman’s much-anticipated return to Creamline will have to wait.
Alas Pilipinas’ decorated team captain will take her talents back to the Land of the Rising Sun for a second stint with Denso Airybees in Japan V.League Division I.
PVL president and Alas Pilipinas chairman Ricky Palou bared de Guzman’s forthcoming plans and expected flight to Japan in a few days ahead of the new season.
It will take nearly a year, however, before the eight-time PVL best setter can resume national team duties.
“Her contract in Japan has been renewed so I think she’ll go back there I think today or tomorrow she’s leaving na for Japan.
“In the meantime, the team will be practicing pero as far as I know, after May, babalik na siya dito for the national team. When the national team calendar comes into play, she’ll be back in the Philippines for the Alas team.”
De Guzman is listed in the Airybees’ official roster for the 2024-25 season as one of four setters alongside Japanese aces Ayane Furuichi, Yamaguchi Yuika and Yuki Yamagami.
A replacement setter and captain for flag and country alongside Julia Coronel is expected but remains unnamed for the time being.
Alas will embark on a domestic tour of duty in a series of exhibition matches against both local and international sides to ramp up their preparations for next year’s Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand.
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