New era for the Cool Smashers.
The Creamline Cool Smashers will face colossal changes moving forward with the departure of longtime setter Jia de Guzman for Japan's Denso Airybees. The many-time national team member, in fact, has already shown that she is slowly integrating herself with her new squad. Over at Creamline, however, there's now a huge hole to be filled with just a few weeks before the PVL plunges back to action.
At One News' The Game, Creamline captain Alyssa Valdez admitted that it will be different without the eight-time PVL best setter.
"Jia is the 'Jiamazing.' We cannot find anyone to replace her in our team. The only Jia de Guzman in Philippine volleyball. Jia, we'll miss you so much," Valdez said.
The Phenom has already said her goodbye to de Guzman, and Valdez shared the heartfelt scene online. And she will probably be the most affected by de Guzman;s departure since she and the veteran setter go way back, being teammates even at the collegiate level for the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
"This is also one of the challenges na gusto naming harapin as a team. For now, we're taking it one day at a time. We know all the teams are preparing well," Valdez added.
Nevertheless, the popular spiker is confident that the Cool Smashers will collectively help each other as Kyle Negrito looks to fill in the shoes of de Guzman as the Cool Smasher's primary setter.
"One thing's very obvious in our team na lahat naman help [each other]. We really appreciate Jia in terms of napaka-generous niya sa pagturo sa team pagdating sa pagiging setter. Lagi niya 'yung binibigay kay Kyle kaya I think we're confident na si Kyle would also do a good job this coming conference," Valdez said.
"At the end of the day, we're going to trust each other. We've been together for so long."
Yep, that familiarity has been one of Creamline's biggest advantages. So, it will be interesting to see how the many-time PVL champs will be able to make up for the glaring hole de Guzman just left.
(MDB)