JIA de Guzman has now been part of all but three of Creamline's record 11 PVL championships, missing only the 2024 Grand Slam while playing in Japan.
Her last finals memory before this latest triumph ended in disappointment, when the Cool Smashers fell to Japanese guest side Kurashiki Ablaze in the 2023 Invitational Conference.
But 997 days later, that memory turned into something sweet, as she and her teammates reclaimed their now-signature spot at the summit.
Looking back, perspective matters more than comparison for de Guzman.
“I can’t categorize talaga Creamline then and Creamline now, pero para sa’kin, with Creamline, we have this culture kasi na kahit anong ilagay sa harapan namin, we will do our best to come together talaga and work towards a bigger goal,” she said.
“Kahit sinuman ang pumasok sa team namin, kahit sinuman ang umalis, the culture stays strong. Like for me na matagal din nawala, it's not that hard to jell back into the team because of that culture that we've formed ever since Creamline started.”
READ: Admittedly 'tumatanda na,' Creamline just grateful for another title together
Indeed, from all the highs to these recent lows, the Cool Smashers identity remains steadfast, one built on consistency, adaptability, and unwavering trust in the collective.
“Creamline will always be Creamline, kahit anong mangyari,” she said. “With Creamline kasi, we're not the tallest team. We're not the fastest team. We're not the most amazing team."
“Every team in this tournament may kanya-kanyang strength talaga, and we give respect to every team that we have to prepare for regardless of round kasi that's how you play volleyball. You give respect to whoever you're facing.”
Experience matters
Even in a campaign that demanded more resilience than dominance, a battle-tested Creamline simply willed its way back to the top.
“We just really had to take it game by game kasi nakita naman natin na hindi ganun ka-smooth ‘yung eliminations namin, hindi ganun ka-smooth ‘yung semis namin. Yung finals, thank God naman na at the right time rin kami lahat kumapit,” she said.
“With us, with Creamline, kahit sinumang malagay sa harapan namin, pagtatrabahuan namin at hindi namin hahayaan lang na basta-bastang makuha lang kami ng panalo.”
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