FILE–Creamline setter Jia De Guzman during a PVL game. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Jia De Guzman, who had a successful first stint in Japan V.League, is not eligible to play for Creamline in the PVL 2024 All-Filipino Conference, league commissioner Sherwin Malonzo said.
De Guzman’s name was not the part of the Cool Smashers’ final line-up submitted to the league, which rules the setter out for the conference.
Long time Japan V.League import Jaja Santiago, meanwhile, can suit up for Chery Tiggo.
READ: SCHEDULE: PVL All-Filipino Conference 2024
Both Filipino players recently concluded their respective stints in Japan. Santiago finished with a silver medal and several individual awards with JT Marvelous, while De Guzman placed fifth with the Denso Airybees.
“For Jaja, just to confirm, I saw her name in the lineup. I didn’t see Jia’s name, so technically Jaja [is the only one allowed]. Our registration [for rosters] ended on February 14,” Malonzo told reporters in Filipino.
De Guzman can play for the Cool Smashers next conference in the Reinforced Invitationals.
READ: Creamline coach believes Kyle Negrito ready to step up sans Jia De Guzman
“She’s a contracted player with Creamline but because of the team composition na sinubmit nila her name was not there, thus hindi siya makakalaro this conference,” the PVL commissioner said.
De Guzman helped Denso finish fifth in the elimination with a 12-10 record before they lost to Ageo Medics in the quarterfinal. The Filipino setter and the Airybees secured the fifth place with a 25-19, 25-23, 25-22 sweep of Hisamitsu Springs last Saturday.
Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses said he’s happy for the eight-time PVL Best Setter.
Alyssa Valdez also congratulated her longtime setter De Guzman.
“We want to congratulate her team as well. Super ganda. We miss her and we wanna say we’re very happy for her talaga,” said Valdez, who has been missing De Guzman since the third conference last year.
Jaja Santiago with JT Marvelous in the Japan V.League. –JAJA SANTIAGO INSTAGRAM
For Santiago’s part, Malonzo said that she is still eligible to play despite her ongoing process of getting Japanese citizenship.
“Right now, her sports nationality is still Philippines, so there’s no problem because she has a Philippine passport,” said the PVL commissioner.
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Despite missing out on the top prize, Santiago was part of the Best Six of the V.League while also bagging Spike, Block and Fighting Spirit awards this season.