Philippine Women's Volleyball Faces a 'Golden Opportunity'

Captain Jia de Guzman is convinced that the Philippines hosting the FIVB Women's Volleyball World Championship 2029 will be a breakthrough moment for volleyball in the nation.

Philippine women's volleyball captain, Jia de Guzman, believes that hosting the FIVB Women's Volleyball World Championship 2029 will create a historic opportunity for Alas Pilipinas and the new generation of athletes. She sees this not only as a symbolic event but also as a catalyst for the advancement of volleyball in the Philippines.

Speaking to the press after the hosting announcement, De Guzman shared that her initial reaction was overwhelming but soon turned into a great source of motivation.

“We are very happy. At first, it was unbelievable, but then we realized this gives us plenty of time to prepare. Seeing what the men's team, Alas, achieved after just 16 months of preparation, it strengthened our belief in our own potential,” she said.

The veteran setter also expressed pride that women's volleyball will have the chance to represent the country on the global stage.

De Guzman emphasized the significance of the seven-year volleyball development program recently announced by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF). She considers it a long-awaited step to build cohesion and continuity across generations.

“We have been waiting for this for many years. It is a huge inspiration for young talents to join Alas Pilipinas. Now is the perfect time for them to step up and show the world their abilities,” De Guzman shared.

While optimistic about the future, De Guzman also stressed that success depends not only on hosting the tournament but on the dedication of the entire team. She called for the collaboration of young talents from high school to university levels, driven by a desire to learn and contribute to national volleyball. “We need players who are not only the best but are also willing to work for the country and stand with the team,” De Guzman emphasized.

With four years to prepare and the world's attention focused on Manila, De Guzman believes the 2029 tournament could be a crucial milestone, helping Alas Pilipinas rise and elevating Philippine volleyball on the global map. She affirmed this is a golden moment for both the national team and the younger generation to unite and build a long-term development program, delivering a performance worthy of their home crowd.