MANILA -- Creamline will have no shortage of playmakers in its roster after veteran setter Jia de Guzman confirmed that she is set to return to the Cool Smashers following a two-year stint with the Denso Airybees in Japan.
De Guzman remains fully focused on her duties with the Alas Pilipinas women's national volleyball team, but the expectation is that she will return to Creamline at the end of their international campaigns.
Head coach Sherwin Meneses said Thursday that De Guzman's return is a big positive for Creamline, as they expect the setter to provide not just the playmaking but also leadership for their squad.
READ: When will Jia De Guzman see PVL action after confirming Creamline comeback?
"Knowing Jia naman, talagang 'yung galing niya talaga and 'yung leadership niya rin, laging andiyan. Malaking tulong sa amin kung makabalik na si Jia," Meneses said at the sidelines of the signing of a partnership between Rebisco and Allianz PNB Life.
Aside from de Guzman, Creamline still has Kyle Negrito, Mafe Galanza, and even veteran Rhea Dimaculangan in their roster. Negrito, in particular, has come into her own as a player in de Guzman's absence, winning back-to-back Best Setter honors in 2024 and leading the Cool Smashers to a Grand Slam.
Meneses was non-committal as to who will get the starting nod between de Guzman and Negrito, but the multi-titled coach noted that it was a "good problem" for him and his staff.
"Siyempre, yung Jia, talagang nandiyan na. Then Kyle talaga, talagang pinagtrabahuhan niya 'yung spot niya sa Creamline. So let's see na lang, pero good problem nga, sabi nga namin," said Meneses.
"Actually, hindi naman malaking problema. 'Yun nga, let's see na lang kung sino talaga 'yung papasok sa loob. Pero knowing Jia naman, talagang experienced na talaga, lalo na naka-stint siya sa Japan. Let's see na lang talaga, kasi mahirap ding magbigay ng kung sino talaga 'yung mauuna," he added.
Meneses has time to make a decision as de Guzman is wholly committed to the national team, where she serves as team captain.
"Right now, it's really the national team period," de Guzman said during last Tuesday's PSA Forum. Klaro naman po yung usapan namin ng management that while the Alas players are needed by the national team, our focus is here."
"Very clear naman ito with the management and they are very supportive because they know that when they send us to the national team, we come back with better experience that can help in our campaign," she added.