Jia De Guzman stresses on continuity for Alas Pilipinas


Jia De Guzman and Alas Pilipinas during a game against Vietnam in the FIVB Challenger Cup in Manila.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Jia De Guzman emphasized the value of continuity for the Alas Pilipinas’ program after Vietnam reasserted its mastery of the Philippine squad in the FIVB Women’s Volleyball Challenger Cup.

The new breed of national players couldn’t stop Vietnam as it ended the host’s world stint in just one game with a 25-14, 25-22, 25-21 win on Friday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Losing eight in their last eight meetings just showed how the Vietnamese built a formidable team through its continuity and the commitment of its national team members. 

READ: Vietnam star T4 all praises for Jia De Guzman, Alas Pilipinas

And for De Guzman,  it’s what Alas needs to reach greater heights and match the level of Vietnam and other Southeast Asian rivals.

“We’re going against the teams who grew up together inside the national team. That’s also our goal, to grow old together in the national team. That’s how you build longevity, that’s how you build chemistry, that’s how you build a strong team, in the long run,” said the Alas team captain in Filipino. “We can’t expect that one loss or one adversity would lead to changes. Keep the same people, add new people, and reinforce the team. That’s how you make a team strong. Hopefully, we will be able to do that.”

Ahead of their road to the Volleyball Nations League qualifiers, the Philippine National Volleyball Federation added Alyssa Solomon, Bella Belen, Jema Galanza, and Tots Carlos. But only Galanza and Belen joined the squad with Solomon still recovering, while Carlos was ruled out of the tournament.

The Philippines put up a gallant stand against the SEA Games silver medalist and AVC Challenge Cup champion Vietnam but it wasn’t enough to extend its Challenger Cup campaign to the semifinal as the eight-time PVL Best Setter stressed the point of improvements for their squad.

“We still have a lot to improve individually and as a team. Coach has always told us many times to be patient with ourselves and with the team. With Vietnam and more experienced teams, we’ll go through this. It’s just they really stuck together all throughout these years so that’s what we need to do,” she said. 

READ: Alas Pilipinas loses to Vietnam, bows out of FIVB Challenger Cup

De Guzman, who led Alas to a historic bronze in the AVC Challenge Cup last May, remained proud of her team for standing their ground against the SEA powerhouse, led by Thi Bich Tuyen Nguyen’s 30-point explosion.

“I’m very proud of the girls because they fought for every point, and until the end. We gave our best and In terms of experience, we still lack but we know that eventually, we will reach that level,” said the Creamline Cool Smasher, who played in Japan V.League with the Denso AiryBees. “We have to take all the learnings from every game, win or lose.” 

“Everyone’s really communicating and adjusting in-game. So you can see the improvement in our chemistry. All we have to do is retain the team, keep playing together, and hopefully, next time we face Vietnam, we’ll play better.”



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De Guzman and the Filipino Spikers fly to Japan next week for a training camp before seeing action in the SEA V.League in August.

“In the SEA V.League, we will face the teams from SEA Games.  After today’s game, we go back to the drawing board, we go back to training, improve what we can from this game, individually and as a team,” she said.

Vietnam star T4 all praises for Alas Pilipinas, Jia De Guzman


Vietnam star Thi Thanh Thuy Tran, popularly known as T4, in a game against Alas Pilipinas in the FIVB Challenger Cup. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIREr.net

MANILA, Philippines — Trần Thị Thanh Thúy had nothing but praises for Alas Pilipinas, especially setter Jia De Guzman, after their showdown in the FIVB Women’s Volleyball Challenger Cup.

Thuy, dubbed as T4, returned to action from injury and only scored two points but still made a huge impact for Vietnam, which eliminated the host Philippines, 25-14, 25-22, 25-21, on Friday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

“The Philippines’ performance is very well because they have a good connection with the setter,” said Thuy, who checked in midway through the second set and started in the third.

HIGHLIGHTS: Alas Pilipinas vs Vietnam FIVB Challenger Cup

“[It was] a very interesting match-up because she played in Japan and she played a lot. So I think it was a good match.”

De Guzman has been instrumental in Alas’ improvement with the eight-time PVL Best Setter sharing her experience from the Denso AiryBees in the Japan V.League with her younger teammates.

Alas Pilipinas' Jia de Guzman in a game against Vietnam in the FIVB Challenger Cup.

Alas Pilipinas’ Jia de Guzman in a game against Vietnam in the FIVB Challenger Cup. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Besides Alas’ vastly improved game compared to their past international duels, Thuy admitted she felt a little nervous playing in front of an ecstatic Filipino crowd.

“Before the match,  [I’m] a little scared because playing in the Philippines you have the audience very enthusiastic [so] I’m very nervous. So we have to try to relax, focus, and enjoy the game,” she said.

READ: Alas Pilipinas loses to Vietnam, bows out of FIVB Challenger Cup

The Vietnamese star, who didn’t play in their title run in the AVC Challenge Cup Manila last May, said she’s not yet at a 100 percent but she’s thrilled to share the court with her teammates again.

“I felt a little nervous when I got back because I’m not in my 100 percent so I just try my best to have fun again with the team,” said Thuy.



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Thuy and Vietnam battle Czechia in a knockout semifinal on Saturday, seeking to inch a step closer to the Volleyball Nations League.

Jia De Guzman ‘grateful’ as Alas Pilipinas adds more firepower


Jia De Guzman and Alas Pilipinas during a VNL meet and greet at Mall of Asia Arena.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Alas Pilipinas team captain Jia De Guzman welcomed new additions Jema Galanza, Bella Belen, and Alyssa Solomon ahead of the FIVB Challenge Cup on July 4 at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

De Guzman is elated to have more talented wing spikers, as well as Tots Carlos, who wasn’t in the Alas meet and greet on Wednesday, as they play a do-or-die game against AVC Challenge Cup champion Vietnam in the qualifier for the Volleyball Nations League (VNL).

“We’re grateful that we were reinforced with Jema, Bella, and Alyssa because we had a very good line-up in the AVC and we’re welcoming every help that we can get,” said De Guzman in Filipino after their meet and greet in the VNL on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.

READ: NU stars, Jema Galanza join Alas Pilipinas training

“They are also bringing a great experience and we’re hoping for more additions to have a deeper bench in the long run.”

Also part of Alas coach Jorge Souza De Brito’s pool are Challenge Cup bronze medalists Angel Canino as well as Sisi Rondina, Eya Laure, Fifi Sharma, Thea Gagate, Dawn Macandili-Catindig, Cherry Nunag, Dell Palomata, Faith Nisperos, Jennifer Nierva, Arah Panique, Julia Coronel, and Vanie Gandler.

University of the East rookie Casiey Dongallo is also part of the training pool but she’s still recovering from a hand injury.

READ: Tots Carlos, Jema Galanza added to Alas Pilipinas pool

The Philippines and Vietnam collide in a knockout match with the winner advancing to the next round against the winner between Argentina and the Czech Republic.

“We’re doing our best to prepare well because we’re facing Vietnam so we’ve seen them play in person in AVC,” the eight-time PVL Best Setter said. “We’re taking it a day at a time, preparing, taking advantage of the longer preparation this time compared before in the AVC. So hopefully, we can get better results.”

Also vying for the lone VNL spot are Belgium, Sweden, Puerto Rico, and Kenya.

De Guzman was happy to meet their fans before the game between France and Germany at MOA Arena/

“We didn’t expect that many people and we wanted to meet more but we lack time. We’re grateful for their support to Alas Pilipinas both men’s and women’s teams,” she said.



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