Jia signs with Japanese club

Jia Morado-De Guzman takes her act to the Japan V.League after signing with the Denso Airybees.

The Japanese club officially welcomed the celebrated Filipina setter through an Instagram post on Thursday morning.

De Guzman along with Brazilian outside hitter Rosamaria Montibeller are the latest additions for the Airybees who are beefing up their roster for the 2023-24 V.League season set to open next month.

"I'm really looking forward to contributing fully for the Denso Airybees," De Guzman said.

"This season we will work hard with our coaches, staff and teammates to practice and compete in matches and strive for victory," she added.

The eight-time Premier Volleyball League Best Setter winner is a perfect addition to Denso, which is looking for a better result this year after finishing sixth in the previous season with a 14-19 win-loss record.

De Guzman, who led the Creamline Cool Smashers to six conference titles where she was also named Finals Most Valuable Player four times, averaged 5.69 excellent sets per game during the PVL Invitational Conference.

The Ateneo de Manila University product joined the list of Pinay volleyball stars who are taking their talents abroad.

De Guzman, will cross paths once again with former national squad teammate and V.League veteran Jaja Santiago. Santiago is currently signed with JT Marvelous after playing five seasons with the Saitama Ageo Medics.

Also showcasing their wares in the international club scene are MJ Phillips and Iris Tolenada, who are both competing in the Korean V-League.

Phillips, who plays for Petro Gazz in the PVL, was selected by Gwangju AI Peppers as the fifth overall pick in the Asian import draft while F2 Logistics setter Tolenada struck a deal with the GS Caltex Seoul KIXX.

The Airybees begin their campaign on the road, playing defending champion NEC Red Rockets on 28 October before engaging the Kurobe AquaFairies the  following day.