Alas Pilipinas captain Jia de Guzman. PVL Media Bureau/file

MANILA, Philippines – Usually in a supporting role, Jia de Guzman of Alas Pilipinas took the spotlight this time as she was named Miss Volleyball at the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Awards Night on Monday at The Manila Hotel.

De Guzman, who's in Japan right now as she continues her career at the SV.League, expressed gratitude for the coveted award because, true to her humble form and role, she finds fulfillment in making her teammates shine.

The former star setter of Creamline said the Miss Volleyball honor is a "dream come true" because she thought that embracing her role she has right now have "challenges" and "self-placed limitations." 

READ: Jia de Guzman all set for Denso Airybees return

De Guzman appeared in a recorded video at the prestigious event as Miguel, her husband, accepted the award on her behalf.

"It is a tremendous honor to be acknowledged as this year's Miss Volleyball and I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to the Philippine Sportswriters Association for this distinction," she said.

"This is actually a dream come true for me because being a setter in volleyball and playing a non-scoring, supporting role for my team, I've always found the most fulfillment in seeing my teammates, my spikers shine," she went on.

READ: Jia de Guzman to play for Denso Airybees in Japan's V.League

"But along with a non-scoring position comes challenges, self-placed limitations and even dreams that I thought I would never be able to achieve—dreams like playing as a setter import in Japan and even receiving a distinctive award such as Miss Volleyball. So I have to thank all of you for this."

Bringing inspiration to her fellow athletes, the eight-time Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Best Setter and national team captain went on to say that "whys" or purpose will give people meaning and strength to power through heartbreaks and failures.

"Why do we keep waking up at 4 a.m every day? Why do we train twice, thrice, even more times every day? Why do we power through fatigue, exhaustion, and even injuries? And why do we keep playing even when we're far away from our families? Our why becomes our purpose. It gives us strength to power through even when things are hard, when things are painful, because it makes everything worth it."

Meanwhile, Creamline captain Alyssa Valdez, a former recipient of Miss Volleyball award, said she and the team are happy to see De Guzman excel in her role and get a well-deserved citation.

"For Jia, we're very, very proud of her. We just can't wait to see her again, but we're just happy sa lahat ng mga recognition na binibigay niya not only for the Creamline team, but for the national team. We're really looking forward on cheering her as part of Alas Pilipinas as well," Valdez said.

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