In a true golden era for international success, Ced Domingo, Bryan Bagunas, Marck Espejo, *AND* Jia De Guzman add “champion” to their names this year while playing for teams abroad.
JIA IS GOLD
JIA DE GUZMAN - Denso Airybees (Japan)
[Related: Jia De Guzman wins Japan V Cup gold with Denso Airybees]
Not to be outdone, Jia De Guzman added herself to the list of Filipino champions in international volleyball this year, joining the club last April 7 with the Denso Airybees in Japan's V.League.
The Airybees won the V Cup, making Jia the second Filipina to win the tournament after Jaja Santiago with the Saitama Ageo Medics in 2021.
Overall, Jia's first foray into international club volleyball has been quite productive, with Denso also landing 5th in the V1.
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It’s been a gold rush for Filipino volleyball imports playing international club volleyball.
Just this year alone, we’ve added a trifecta of champions, once again reinforcing our local talent’s skill.
In a true golden era for international success, here are the three Filipino imports who added “champion” to their names this year while playing for teams abroad.
CED DOMINGO - Nakhon Ratchasima (Thailand)
[LOOK: Ced Domingo, a champion again]
Ced Domingo took her championship-winning ways from Creamline to Thailand, winning the VTL championship with Nakhon Ratchasima in February.
After a tentative start to her international stint, Domingo was a regular starter by the time the Cat Devils secured their back-to-back titles in Thailand, making Ced the first Filipina to win gold in the VTL.
[Related: Out of her comfort zone, Ced Domingo finds maturity and composure in golden Thailand stint]
Ced likewise is the second Filipina to win gold with an international team, following Jaja Santiago.
BRYAN BAGUNAS - Win Streak (Taiwan)
Speaking of back-to-backs, Bryan Bagunas aced another tour of duty with Win Streak in Taiwan’s Top Volleyball League.
[Related: Bryan Bagunas captures second-straight TVL title with Win Streak]
For the second straight year, Bagunas and Win Streak were double TVL champions, dominating the regular season and playoffs.
The 2023-24 season was actually better, as Win Streak only lost once in 25 games with Bagunas again lording it over as the league’s no. 1 scorer.
MARCK ESPEJO - Incheon Korean Air Jumbos (Korea)
After leading the Cignal HD Spikers to a perfect run in the 2023 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference, Marck Espejo once again tried to venture to international volleyball.
[Related: Marck Espejo joins Filipino international champions club as Incheon repeats as KOVO winner]
He was eventually picked third by three-time defending champion Incheon in the KOVO Asian Quota draft.
Espejo carved himself a solid role for his powerhouse team in Korea, and eventually earned his first pro title as the Air Jumbos secured their four-peat in KOVO men’s action.