Jia De Guzman says Japan stint a big help in her Alas Pilipinas team captain role

Jia De Guzman was once a youngster in the Philippine national team, playing in the shadows of some veterans like Rhea Dimaculangan and Kim Fajardo among others.

Now, De Guzman has taken a bigger and daunting role for the newly-formed Alas Pilipinas after being named the team captain as she steers the ship for a youthful squad in the upcoming 2024 AVC Challenge Cup for Women this week.

De Guzman, though, said it is not actually hard to lead a youth-laden team that features up-and-coming volleyball stars in the country like Eya Laure, Angel Canino, Thea Gagate, and Julia Coronel.

"It took a while for me to process that na kami na ‘yung seniors sa team but at the same time, we were raised very well by the seniors in the past when we were young once," De Guzman said on Monday following the launch of the Challenge Cup at Shangri-La Makati.

"It’s great. For me, being a team captain is just a formality because I have other seniors helping me out and even the young ones are ready to take their role very well. It’s not hard leading a team with so many leaders inside."

The decorated playmaker also highlighted how her recent Japan stint has been helping her in leading the pack for the flag.

The 29-year-old De Guzman previously suited up as a reinforcement for the Denso Airybees, which she helped steer to the crown of the 2024 Japan V. Cup against Hitachi Astemo last month.

Aside from the Japanese culture, it was the 'simplicity' of the way they play volleyball that struck De Guzman the most, and she hopes to translate this into her skipper role for Alas.

"I think one of the strengths of Japan volleyball is how simple they play—how simple but very efficient. So that’s one thing that we’re trying to teach to every member of the team now," De Guzman said.

"Actually even coach Jorge’s system is the same so from the coaching staff also sobrang clear nila sa kung anong goals ang gusto nilang gawin for the team and nagtutugma naman ‘yun sa mga napulot ko from my Japan stint."

She is expected to show all her learnings from Japan starting this Thursday, when they take on powerhouse Australia at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News