Jia De Guzman could not help but look back on her past experiences after earning the Best Setter award in the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup.
Jia De Guzman could not hide her happiness after it was announced that she had been named the Best Setter of the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup on Wednesday, May 29.
The gleam in her eyes and the wide smile on her face spoke volumes about the significance of this latest achievement.
For De Guzman, this award is more than just a recognition of her talent – it is a testament to the years of dedication, the countless hours of practice, and the multitude of experiences that have shaped her stellar career.
“This one is a big bonus and I owe it also to lahat ng na-experience ko ever since I started playing, lahat po ng coaches and players na na-encounter ko. They made me who I am today,” De Guzman shared.
“Maraming salamat po!”
From her early days at Colegio San Agustin Makati to her rise at Ateneo, her success with Creamline, and her journey with Denso Airybees in Japan, De Guzman’s career has been a tapestry woven with experiences that have refined her skills and honed her instincts.
Each match, each training session, and each piece of wisdom she picked up along the way contributed to her development as a decorated setter, one who has slowly but steadily carved her niche in the Asian volleyball scene.
In the Challenge Cup, De Guzman’s brilliance as a setter was on full display.
Her exceptional playmaking abilities and strategic vision were instrumental in leading Alas Pilipinas to a historic bronze-medal finish, a first for the country in an AVC-sanctioned tournament in 63 years.
This remarkable achievement was not just a personal triumph for De Guzman but a collective victory for the entire team.
"Well, I'm so overwhelmed right now kasi unang-una pinaka proud ako kasi nakapag-bronze nga yung team. Sobrang biggest achievement 'to for all of us. We came in this tournament not expecting anything and now we're bringing home a bronze medal,” she said.
“Sobrang proud ko sa bawa't member ng team talaga and it wouldn't be possible kung may isang kulang samin.”