KYLE Negrito has stepped out of Jia de Guzman’s shadows for good.
Over a year since de Guzman’s Japan odyssey began, Negrito took over lead playmaking duties for Creamline and since then has taken two best setter nods, a Finals MVP and a Grand Slam to her name.
From being her ate Jia’s longtime protégé back in the day, the 28-year-old setter is already at ease with manning the baton for the PVL’s most successful franchise she’s been part of for the last six years.
“Nakatulong na rin kasi sa tinagal ko sa Creamline na lagi na akong nandyan sa likod na nakasuporta kay ate Jia sa training,” said Negrito.
“Sa tagal ng pinagsamahan namin, kumbaga nanood lang din po ako. Nu’ng nagkaroon ng pagkakataon, ganun din, wala naman akong binago,” she continued.
“’Yung system namin, sinunod ko. ‘Yung mga nangyari, parehas pa rin naman. Volleyball pa rin naman.”
In times when she’d question if she’s up to the task to fill the big shoes that De Guzman left behind, it’s the unwavering trust of the entire Creamline squad — from head coach Sherwin Meneses to the rest of her teammates — that has kept her going.
READ: Sweet 16th as unbeaten Creamline puts away Nxled in straight sets
“‘Yung mga teammates ko rin po kasi, grabe rin ‘yung tulong din sa akin talaga sa morale ko, pati na rin sa court. Talagang pinaparamdam nila ‘yung tiwala nila na buong-buo — kumbaga gawin ko ‘yung role ko and gagawin nila ‘yung role nila,” she said.
Negrito added: “Grabe ‘yung patience nila sa akin, si coach She. Grabe ‘yung patience from the very beginning hanggang ngayon.”
Six games into Creamline’s unbeaten six-game run in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference, Negrito leads the league in setting with 4.50 excellent sets per set.
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