Jia De Guzman looks forward to facing 'Nootsara's protege' in AVC quarterfinals

In December 2019, Jia De Guzman went up against one of her idols—Nootsara Tomkom—during the Philippines' game against Thailand in the 30th SEA Games that the country hosted at the PhilSports Arena.

Almost three years later in the same venue, De Guzman is set to face another Thai setter in Pornpun Guedpard as the hosts take on Thailand in the 2022 AVC Cup for Women quarterfinals stage on Saturday.

Both players are their team's designated skipper in the tournament.

"Pornpun has been playing in the national team for the longest time. She is Nootsara's protege and she is great also in her own right," De Guzman said following their sweep of South Korea on Thursday.

"So you know how fast-paced she can set. She also has the height to be a threat at the net so we are going to do our best to prepare for that game. Malakas talaga ang Thailand."

Nootsara had already retired from the game alongside the members of the famous Thailand's 'Fab Six' Pleumjit Thinkaow, Wilavan Apinyapong, Onuma Sittirak, Malika Kanthong, and Amporn Hyapha.

But with the exit of its veterans, Thailand remained a force to be reckoned with the 29-year-old Pornpun leading the way.

"Syempre 'yung Thailand, grabe na 'yung exposure talaga nila sa international tournaments pero ita-try namin 'yung best namin para maging maganda 'yung performance," said Philippine head coach Sherwin Meneses.

"Kasi 'yung chemistry din ng Thailand talagang maganda na rin eh."

Meneses said they will maximize the one-day preparation as they expect a tough match against the Thais, who won two of their three games in the preliminary round to finish at second in Pool B.

"Hopefully gumanda pa 'yung performance namin sa quarterfinals. Meron namang one-day preparation so gagawin namin yung best namin para makapag-perform nang maganda," he said.

—JMB, GMA News