Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 7) — Decorated setter Jia de Guzman will be taking her talents overseas as she signs with the Denso Airybees for the upcoming Japan V. League season next month.
“I am really looking forward to contribute everything I can for the Denso Airybees. Together with the coaches, staffs and my teammates, we will do our very best to train, fight and win this season!” said De Guzman in her profile on the club’s website.
She will be joined by Brazilian spiker Rosamaria Montibeller as one of the team’s imports.
The Denso Airybees shared on Instagram on Thursday a clip of the 28-year-old De Guzman training with the team.
De Guzman is the fifth Filipino volleyball player to join the Japanese league, after Jaja Santiago, Dindin Santiago-Manabat, Marck Espejo, and Bryan Bagunas.
De Guzman’s Japan stint will also mark the first time the Creamline Cool Smashers will miss her services in the Premier Volleyball League, as they prepare for the upcoming season-ender tournament in October.
In her six years with Creamline, De Guzman was an eight-time Best Setter, six-time champion, and four-time Finals Most Valuable Player.
She was a product of Ateneo de Manila University’s volleyball program.
