PVL: Jia De Guzman proud of Kyle Negrito, Creamline
Jia De Guzman.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Jia De Guzman is mighty proud of Kyle Negrito and the Creamline Cool Smashers, who are on the cusp of winning their second PVL All-Filipino Conference title without her.
De Guzman missed two conferences to fulfill her dream to play abroad with the Denso Airybees in Japan but Creamline has remained on top of the PVL, winning the 2023 second All-Filipino in December and inching a win closer to sweeping Choco Mucho this season for their eighth title.
“I’ll know how hard they worked for it. Creamline every season, we work extra hard because all of the teams are getting better,” said De Guzman, who arrived in Manila a few days ago. I’m proud of them and I’m just happy that I’m here to experience the Game 2 of the finals.”
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“I’m happy to watch them live for the first time because the last championship, I was just on my phone. I really trust [that they can win this],” she added.
The eight-time PVL Best Setter heaped praise on Negrito, whose brilliant playmaking hardly surprised De Guzman.
“Kyle has always worked hard even when I was playing with Creamline before she does her extra work, she comes early to training, she does her extra scouting, and she asks whenever she wants to improve something. She’s reaping everything she worked hard for,” De Guzman said.
READ: PVL: Creamline closes in on another title, beats Choco Mucho in Game 1
“I’m happy because she really held her ground and brought Creamline to the finals twice, this is her second time.”
De Guzman, who won a V.Cup title, a runner-up finish in the Kurowashiki tournament, and fifth in the V.League Division 1, believes coach Sherwin Meneses’ system was the key behind Creamline’s continuous success.
“Everyone is really embracing the teachings of coach Sherwin. Everyone knows their role, everyone is ready to step up so if you notice Creamline kahit papalit palit ng players everyone is ready to deliver at any point because that’s what the coaching staff wants, everyone is just ready to help each other and play,” she said.
