Alas Pilipinas team captain Jia de Guzman is fresh off her strong first season with the Denso Airybees in Japan.
Fresh off her first season in the Japan V.League, Jia de Guzman is back in the Philippines to lead Alas Pilipinas in the upcoming 2024 AVC Challenge Cup set from May 22-29.
After showing off her skills for Denso Airybees, which bagged the Japan V Cup title, some questions arose about whether de Guzman, like Jaja Santiago, could eventually play for Japan.
After playing in Japan since 2018, Santiago officially began her journey to be a naturalized Japanese citizen last year.
Earlier this year, Jaja even received a call up to join the Japanese national team's training camp even while still pursuing her Japanese citizenship.
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When asked about the possibility of doing the same, de Guzman said she remains solely focused on her service for the Philippine national team.
"That's a question I cannot answer right now because when we are called to play in the national team, we really have to answer the call. That is part of FIVB regulations," de Guzman said during the Alas Pilipinas team presentation on Monday, May 20.
"Even other imports from other countries, when we are called during the national team period, we really have to come back and serve the flag because that is our priority," she emphasized.
The 29-year-old setter has been tasked with serving as the team captain of the youth-infused Alas Pilipinas, which will look to start the new era of the Philippine national team with a strong stint in the AVC Challenge Cup.
[ALSO READ: 2024 AVC Challenge Cups for Men and Women explained]
It will be a tough task, but as early as now, de Guzman and the rest of the team are ensuring they are on equal footing.
"The team is very eager. Every member is ready to step up for the flag. Every training from start to finish, everyone is just playing strong," said de Guzman.
"We don't see seniors and young players. Everyone is on [an] equal level, so whether I'm the team captain, I'm the setter, but if there's any adjustments that need to be made, open naman kami for that," she added.
Alas Pilipinas will open their AVC Challenge Cup campaign against Australia at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 23, at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila.