De Guzman takes act to Japan league

MANILA, Philippines — Jia de Guzman, the undisputed best and most decorated setter in the country today, is going on an amazing journey in the Land of the Rising Sun where she gets to live her lifelong dream.

De Guzman yesterday bared she will suit up for Japan’s V-League Division 1 team Denso Airybees as an import.

The PVL seven-time Best Setter and four-time Finals MVP will have to leave the Creamline team she helped snare a league-record 12 straight podium finishes that included an unmatched six championships.

While parting was such sweet sorrow, the Cool Smashers were just happy De Guzman would get to fulfill her childhood goal of bringing her act to foreign soil.

De Guzman’s dream was not without some heartaches along the way as she was spurned in the Korean V-League where she ended up undrafted behind Petro Gazz’s MJ Philips, who was tabbed by the Gwangju Al Peppers, and later on F2 Logistics’ Iris Tolenada, who was a last-minute pickup by GX Caltex Seoul KIXX.

It turned out as a blessing in disguise as she ended up in the bigger Japanese league where she will join compatriot and soon-to-be-naturalized Japanese Jaja Santiago, who is with JT Marvelous.