ALAS Pilipinas women’s volleyball team captain Julia Morado de Guzman is embracing the challenge of returning to the Asian Games, where the Philippines will get the chance to measure itself against some of the continent’s strongest teams.
For de Guzman, the upcoming campaign marks a return to the Asiad after eight years. She was part of the Philippine delegation that competed in the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia.
“It’s always a wonder to represent the country, and bawat opportunity na naman na makuha namin, we really want to play our best,” de Guzman said in an interview with Abante Sports’ Jonas Lavarias.
The veteran setter said she remains excited to see how the current Alas Pilipinas squad will fare against the high-level competition in the continental event.
“We’re very excited with the level of volleyball that we’ll be exposed to there. Everyone’s just very optimistic and excited to play,” she said.
De Guzman and fellow veteran Dawn Macandili are expected to provide experience to a team that also features several younger players who are getting their first taste of Asian Games competition.
With the opportunity to play against some of Asia’s top programs, de Guzman said the team is focused more on its development than outside expectations.
“For us naman kasi, no matter what we do, what matters most is kaming mismo inside the team, we know what we’re going through everyday. Our coaches know what we’re going through everyday, and we just stick with that. It keeps the team very grounded,” she said.
She added that Alas Pilipinas is taking its preparation one step at a time rather than looking too far ahead.
“Before we get to the big achievements, there are small goals na we have to reach, and we do that everyday. Showing up everyday is already an achievement for us,” de Guzman said.
The team captain also praised the environment created under head coach Taka Minowa, particularly the players’ willingness to communicate, accept criticism and remain open to learning.
“What I love the most about our team is that everyone, despite the level that each player is playing in their own teams or in the national team, everyone remains coachable talaga,” she said.
“Marami kaming natutunan from our past coaches, and marami din kaming matutunan from coach Taka, and if we’re able to just absorb everything and apply it when it’s necessary, that’s how we become better, well-rounded players.”
De Guzman said the players have also developed a strong culture of communication and confidence-building.
“Very open kami to communicating and giving feedback to each other, so ayun, parang it’s just a very good environment, and nakakagana talaga maglaro,” she said.
The veteran also acknowledged the strong support the team continues to receive from Filipino fans, including those who travel overseas to watch Alas Pilipinas.
“We feel the love and appreciation from everyone outside our families and the fans. Nakakagana rin talaga maglaro, kasi anywhere around the world we play, there are Filipinos, and we hear them every game,” she said.
But despite the growing attention surrounding the team, de Guzman stressed the importance of remaining patient with the program.
“We’re very grounded in the small goals na we have to achieve to become the great team that we can be. Pero, siyempre, we have to go through these small steps, this process,” she said.
She also pointed to Thailand’s recent victory over China as an example of how established teams go through difficult periods before reaching a higher level.
“For example lang, iyung recent win ng Thailand against China, that’s a very big win, but they went through so many losses against teams that they couldn’t beat before,” de Guzman said.
“Para matuto sila manalo in that stage, they had to go through a difficult period. So kami, we know we have to go through that also.”
One of the biggest tests awaiting Alas Pilipinas is China, the defending Asian Games champion and one of the world’s premier volleyball programs.
Rather than being intimidated, de Guzman sees the matchup as an opportunity to determine where the Philippines stands.
“We’re really excited to go against China. Kasi, when we get the chance to play against the defending champions of the Asian Games, the second placer in ABC Continental, one of the top teams in the world,” she said.
“There’s no better way for us to know what level we’re in, unless we go against teams like that.”
De Guzman said the team remains confident in Minowa’s system and in its own ability to compete.
“We’re taking it day by day. Naniniwala kami sa system ni coach Taka at sa kakayahan naman namin,” she said. “Kasi regardless of what happens at the game, we will earn something.”
Beyond volleyball, de Guzman is also looking forward to being part of a Philippine delegation that includes athletes from various sports.
“It’s an honor to be in the same delegation as these great athletes talaga,” she said. “Lahat kami, common naman sa amin lahat iyung we just want to make the country proud. We want to showcase what the Filipino people and athletes can do, male and female.”
De Guzman also expressed optimism about the future of Philippine volleyball, pointing to the steady development of younger players and the growing level of competition in the local leagues.
“With the generation now, kasi sa Philippine volleyball, we see na nag-e-evolve din talaga iyung young players,” she said.
She noted that the level of play in the UAAP, NCAA and other domestic competitions has changed significantly compared with a decade ago.
“If matuloy lang iyung pag-support natin, lalo na sa next generation, mas malayo iyung makakapunta,” de Guzman said. (Adrian Co)
