Jia de Guzman is traveling abroad to showcase her talents for the first time in her storied career.
The multi-titled setter, who had spent the previous six years with her old PVL club Creamline, has signed a contract to play for the Denso Airybees in the elite Japan V. League Division 1, the team announced on Thursday.
“I am really looking forward to contribute everything I can for the Denso Airybees. Together with the coaches, staff, and my teammates, we will do our very best to train, fight and win this season,” de Guzman wrote in a post on the team’s website.
De Guzman follows Bryan Bagunas, Marck Espejo, Dindin Santiago-Manabat, and Jaja Santiago as the five Filipino volleyball players to sign with the Japanese league.
When De Guzman leaves for Japan, it will also be the first time the Creamline Cool Smashers in the Premier Volleyball League will be without her assistance as they prepare for the season-ending competition in October.
De Guzman won eight times as Best Setter, six times as a champion, and four times as Finals Most Valuable Player during her six years with Creamline.
