Another Japan stint or Creamline return? Jia De Guzman says focus on Alas Pilipinas first

Jia De Guzman has yet to plot her next move as far as her personal career is concerned, stressing her main focus right now is the impending campaign of Alas Pilipinas in the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup for Women this week.

"Right now, I don’t have any plans yet after. Like I said, the national team right now is my priority," De Guzman said on the sidelines of the AVC press conference on Monday in Makati. 

The veteran setter is coming off a productive breakthrough stint as an import in Japan, helping the Denso Airybees capture the Japan V. Cup crown last month to add another plum to her collection. 

Shortly after, De Guzman was called up by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) to join the national team pool ahead of the country's hosting of the AVC tilt. 

However, the eight-time PVL Best Setter said she is not yet looking beyond the AVC, including a possible return to her mother club Creamline, which she steered to six championships in the PVL before leaving last September to fulfill her dream of playing abroad. 

De Guzman also touched on the possibility of being offered a naturalization process by Japan, the same route that another Filipina volleyball ace in Jaja Santiago is taking right now. 

"That's a question that I cannot answer right now because when we are called to play in the national team, we really have to answer the call," she added.

"That is part of FIVB regulations so even for other imports from other countries, when we are called during the national team period, we really have to come back and serve the flag. That is our priority."

—JKC, GMA Integrated News