The Creamline Cool Smashers are about to open their campaign in the PVL Second All-Filipino Conference against the Choco Mucho Flying Titans tonight at 7 p.m., at the Araneta Coliseum. As always, the ladies in pink are considered to be the favorites, not only in the opening matchup but for the entire tournament as well. That being said, the Sherwin Meneses-mentored squad might not be as feared as it was before, considering the absence of Jia de Guzman.
Somehow, someway, de Guzman’s decision to play for the Denso Airybees in the Japan V.League will have a significant effect on the Cool Smashers’ play. She’s been Creamline’s top setter for a long time and so adjustments will have to be made. Filling in for de Guzman will be Kyle Negrito.
For now, the multiple-time PVL champion franchise and de Guzman will have to go about their respective businesses separately. On the eve of the Cool Smashers’ battle with the Flying Titans, Jia was on the grind, putting in work along with her new teammates.
In a video uploaded on Instagram by the Airybees on Saturday, the former Ateneo Blue Eagles standout was seen engaging in a drill designed to improve one’s speed, agility, and endurance.
Yep, planting rice, sprinting, and obstacle course, all in one.
De Guzman seemed to have no problem executing the exercise. She was focused, she was fast, and she didn’t seem out of breath. Jia is indeed a top-level athlete.
The IG reel used Queen’s hit song Don’t Stop Me Now. The melody and the lyrics perfectly highlighted how Jia’s been thriving in Japan, in more ways than one.
“I'm a shooting star leaping through the sky like a tiger. Defying the laws of gravity. I'm a racing car passing by like Lady Godiva. I'm gonna go, go, go, there's no stopping me,” Freddie Mercury belted.
(CF)