In the 2026–27 PVL All-Filipino Conference Siklab Series all-to-play format, lineups change from match to match and even from set to set. Jia De Guzman of the Creamline Cool Smashers believes that makes the setter’s job even more important.
The eight-time PVL Best Setter said the format means a team never knows for sure who will be on the court with them or who they will face across the net.
“I think in this tournament kasi you don’t know kasi kung number one kung sino ‘yung mga kasama mo sa court and number two kung sino ‘yung mga kalaban mo on the other side of the court,” said De Guzman.
An Intact, Consistent System at Creamline
Jia De Guzman returned to Creamline this conference after her stint with Alas Pilipinas. She credited the coaching staff for keeping the Cool Smashers’ system the same regardless of who is playing. That consistency lets the team focus on responding to what its opponents do.
“So, preparation-wise, may game plan, but we also have to be flexible na kung ano ‘yung mangyayari sa loob ng court,” said De Guzman, who had 17 excellent sets in Creamline’s 25-19, 16-25, 26-24, 25-17 win over the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles on Saturday.
“Dapat matuto kaming mag-respond with in-game adjustments, and our coaches have been doing very well with that na kahit sinong ipasok sa amin sa loob, rock solid ‘yung system namin, and anyone can perform at any time,” she added.
“Yung kailangan naman naming problemahin is kung ano yung gagawin nung kabila and paano kami magre-respond to that, so ‘yun ‘yung challenge every game we go into, every set na we go into na may gagawin ‘yung kabila paano naman kami kikilos.”
So far, that approach is working. Creamline has opened with three straight wins and has dropped only two sets: one each in four-set wins over Galeries Tower and ZUS Coffee, after sweeping Akari in the opener.
Making Things Work No Matter Who Are Playing
For Jia De Guzman and her fellow Creamline setters, the job is the same no matter who is on the floor.
“As a setter na lang ‘yung sagot ko na ako kung sino man ‘yung piliin nila coach na isama sa amin, trabaho namin na paganahin sila or to find a way to pull the strings and make everyone work under the same system,” she said.
“It’s always been like that naman for me and Kyle [Negrito] and also Donna [Paralejas] na we don’t choose who plays with us, but it is our job na to play with who is given to us.”
Creamline will next face the Capital1 Solar Spikers on Thursday, October 29, 6:00 p.m. in Santiago, Isabela.
