Jia and Jaja is the Japan friendship we need.
It’s safe to say that Jia De Guzman has adjusted well to playing in Japan.
After making her move to the Denso Airybees in the Japan V.League Division 1, De Guzman slowly but surely found her footing with the team.
While the playing time might not be as high as when she was a Cool Smasher, Jia is still primed to compete for titles, with Denso sitting at sixth in the standings with a 10-9 record, right in the playoff mix.
Recently, De Guzman also faced off against Jaja Santiago and JT Marvelous where the Airybees would again push the V1 leaders to their limit before falling in five sets.
Speaking on One Sports’ The Game about her recent encounter with Santiago, the former Creamline star had nothing but praises for the star middle blocker.
“Seeing how Jaja has been [as a player] and going up against her, she's really grown as an athlete. And she's been here for years, given na she's very well-adjusted to the Japanese style of volleyball, and add to that, she's fluent in Japanese,” said De Guzman.
De Guzman also went on to share how Santiago helped her during her early days in Japan, even finding time in her busy schedule to watch one of Denso’s games.
“I really appreciate Jaja as a friend also because despite her being in a team that's currently undefeated and number one, and her stats being exceptional, she's been so supportive of me playing her to the point that actually we had a Christmas game back on December 23, and I was surprised to see Jaja there,” said Jia.
In the game in question, Denso beat the Okaya Seagulls 19-25, 25-20, 25-13, 30-28. Jia started the last three sets, and scored three of her seven total points so far in Japan.
“She watched the game before flying home to the Philippines for Christmas. What made it more special was the game she watched was the first game I got awarded as V. Leaguer of the Match because we won that game and I was awarded Player of the Game,” she added.
[ALSO READ: Jaja Santiago, Jia de Guzman trade touching messages after maiden meeting in Japan V.League]
There’s nothing like having a friend who will support you in your new journey. And in an unfamiliar setting, Jia has that in Jaja as she chases her own international dreams.
“I was really happy that she was there. She was so happy for me also, so I really love Jaja and I admire her as a player also,” said De Guzman.