Summary
✓Reviewed by James CarterOnly one of the 12 Filipino women's volleyball players who played at the 2018 Asian Games returned to the same stage eight years later, and that player is Jia Morado-de Guzman. In this gilas pilipinas women's volleyball...
Table of contents
- 1 Who Is Jia de Guzman in Gilas Pilipinas Women’s Volleyball?
- 2 From 2018 Jakarta to 2026 Aichi-Nagoya: de Guzman’s Background
- 3 Alas Pilipinas Final Roster at the 2026 Asian Games
- 4 The Coaching Staff and the Team’s Direction
- 5 Where Was the 2026 Asian Games Women’s Volleyball Held?
- 6 What Does de Guzman Do as Team Captain?
- 6.1 How Did She Lead the Middle-Blocking Group?
- 6.2 What Happened When She Returned to the PVL?
- 7 Roster Changes Before the Final Lineup
- 8 Comparison: 2018 Squad vs. 2026 Squad
- 9 Limitations of Available Information
- 10 Frequently Asked Questions About Jia de Guzman and Alas Pilipinas
- 10.1 Who is the team captain of Alas Pilipinas at the 2026 Asian Games?
- 10.2 Why is de Guzman’s role as a 2018 holdover important?
- 10.3 Who is de Guzman’s backup setter?
- 10.4 Who is the head coach of the Alas Pilipinas women’s squad?
- 10.5 Who are the new additions to the final roster?
- 10.6 Where was the women’s volleyball competition held at the 2026 Asian Games?
- 11 Key Takeaways
- 12 Sources
Only one of the 12 Filipino women’s volleyball players who played at the 2018 Asian Games returned to the same stage eight years later, and that player is Jia Morado-de Guzman. In this gilas pilipinas women’s volleyball alas pilipinas story of team captain jia de guzman, we trace the path of a setter from being a rookie in 2018 to becoming team captain and primary setter of Alas Pilipinas at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
Who Is Jia de Guzman in Gilas Pilipinas Women’s Volleyball?
Jia Morado-de Guzman is the official team captain of the Alas Pilipinas women’s volleyball squad for the 2026 Asian Games, and at the same time, she is also the primary setter running the team’s attack. According to a report by Sports Inquirer, she directly guides hitters such as Bella Belen, Eya Laure, Angel Canino, and Alyssa Solomon during matches.
Fans are well aware that her role as setter is critical to the team’s system because she is the first to touch the ball on most attacks, so the quality of her sets determines how efficient Alas Pilipinas’s hitters are on every rally.
From 2018 Jakarta to 2026 Aichi-Nagoya: de Guzman’s Background
De Guzman’s story as an international setter began at the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games, where she was part of the squad alongside Jaja Santiago-Minowa, Alyssa Valdez, Majoy Baron, and Aby Maraño. Eight years later, she is the only holdover from the 2018 roster who again played for the 2026 Asian Games, according to a report by Sports Inquirer.
Between these two tournaments, she rose to become one of the most recognized setters in the Philippines in club volleyball, particularly in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) with Creamline.
Alas Pilipinas Final Roster at the 2026 Asian Games
Two changes occurred before Alas Pilipinas’s 12-woman list was finalized. Shaina Nitura, the current UAAP MVP from Adamson, replaced libero Dawn Macandili-Catindig, while Niña Ytang replaced opposite hitter Erika Santos. Here are the complete 12 in the final lineup.
| Name | Position | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Jia Morado-de Guzman | Setter / Team Captain | Lone holdover from the 2018 squad |
| Mars Alba | Backup Setter | Support for de Guzman |
| Bella Belen | Open Hitter | Primary scorer |
| Angel Canino | Open Hitter | Part of attack rotation |
| Eya Laure | Open Hitter | Part of attack rotation |
| Alyssa Solomon | Open Hitter | Part of attack rotation |
| Thea Gagate | Middle Blocker | Part of the middle group |
| Dell Palomata | Middle Blocker | Part of the middle group |
| Amie Provido | Middle Blocker | Added to fill middle-blocking need |
| Justine Jazareno | Libero/Utility | Part of the final 12 |
| Shaina Nitura | Libero | Replaced Dawn Macandili-Catindig |
| Niña Ytang | Opposite Hitter | Replaced Erika Santos |
According to a report dated October 8, 2026, Nitura’s inclusion was confirmed as part of the final roster, securing her role at the libero position. For a more detailed team background, you can read about Alas Pilipinas’s 2026 history and background.
She is the only remaining link to the 2018 Jakarta squad, but in 2026, she is no longer just a member — she now leads the entire team.
The Coaching Staff and the Team’s Direction
Japanese tactician Taka Minowa leads the Alas Pilipinas women’s squad at the 2026 Asian Games. He previously headed the Philippine under-18 national team in 2024 before being chosen as head coach of the senior women’s squad.
Where Was the 2026 Asian Games Women’s Volleyball Held?
The 2026 Asian Games ran from September 19 to October 4, 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The women’s volleyball competition used venues such as Okazaki Central Park General Gymnasium and Park Arena Komaki as host sites for the matches.
Part of Alas Pilipinas’s broader 2026 program is the SEA V.League campaign, where de Guzman also serves as captain as the team seeks to improve on its previous bronze-medal finish. For more detailed background on the earlier roster, you can also read the team’s SEA Games 2026 roster update.
What Does de Guzman Do as Team Captain?
As team captain, de Guzman holds two roles at once: on-court leadership as setter and off-court responsibility as the team’s representative at official occasions. The combination of setter and captain in one person is uncommon, since most teams separate these two roles between different players.
Backing up de Guzman as setter is Mars Alba, ensuring continuity in the setting rotation should de Guzman need to rest or be substituted during a game.
How Did She Lead the Middle-Blocking Group?
Alas Pilipinas’s 2026 middle-blocking group is composed of Thea Gagate, Dell Palomata, and Amie Provido, with Provido specifically added as a solution to the team’s need at the middle blocker position. Good communication between the setter and middle blockers is critical for quick attacks to be effective.
What Happened When She Returned to the PVL?
After the Asian Games, de Guzman returned to Creamline’s lineup in the PVL on October 15, 2026, where she recorded 16 excellent sets in her first game of the season. This shows that she remains active in club competition even after fulfilling her national team duties.
Roster Changes Before the Final Lineup
Initial pool announcements do not always match the final roster. On October 14, 2026, the Daily Tribune reported on a broader roster reset of the 2026 Alas program, reflecting administrative and availability issues the team faced even before the tournament began.
Because of this, it’s important to clarify that there is no officially confirmed match result, updated individual statistics, or post-Asian Games captaincy change that should be treated as fact unless it comes from an official release by the PNVF or the Asian Games organizing committee.
Comparison: 2018 Squad vs. 2026 Squad
| Aspect | 2018 Jakarta Asian Games | 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games |
|---|---|---|
| Representatives from the same team | Jaja Santiago-Minowa, Alyssa Valdez, Majoy Baron, Aby Maraño, Jia de Guzman | Jia de Guzman (lone holdover) |
| de Guzman’s role | Setter | Setter and Team Captain |
| Both men’s and women’s volleyball joined | No (separate participation since 1962) | Yes, first time since 1962 |
This comparison shows just how steady de Guzman’s role has remained across two generations of Alas Pilipinas, from being part of an established roster in 2018 to leading a new group in 2026.
Limitations of Available Information
Available reports have not yet provided a verified Asian Games match result, updated individual tournament statistics, or an official announcement regarding the next captaincy term. Readers should wait for an official release from the PNVF or the Asian Games before accepting any additional details about match results as fact.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jia de Guzman and Alas Pilipinas
Who is the team captain of Alas Pilipinas at the 2026 Asian Games?
Jia Morado-de Guzman is the official team captain of the Alas Pilipinas women’s volleyball squad for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. She is also the team’s primary setter.
Why is de Guzman’s role as a 2018 holdover important?
She is the only member of the 2026 squad who also played at the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games, so she brings experience and continuity to a new group of players.
Who is de Guzman’s backup setter?
Mars Alba serves as the backup setter behind de Guzman on the 2026 Asian Games roster.
Who is the head coach of the Alas Pilipinas women’s squad?
Taka Minowa, a Japanese tactician who previously led the Philippine under-18 national team in 2024, leads the team’s coaching staff.
Who are the new additions to the final roster?
Shaina Nitura replaced Dawn Macandili-Catindig at the libero position, and Niña Ytang replaced Erika Santos at the opposite hitter position in the final 12-woman lineup.
Where was the women’s volleyball competition held at the 2026 Asian Games?
The matches were held at venues such as Okazaki Central Park General Gymnasium and Park Arena Komaki in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4, 2026.
Key Takeaways
- Jia Morado-de Guzman is the team captain and primary setter of Alas Pilipinas at the 2026 Asian Games.
- She is the only remaining holdover from the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games squad.
- She enters the tournament with eight PVL Best Setter awards.
- The final 12-woman roster added a new middle blocker, libero, and opposite hitter before the tournament.
- She returned active to the PVL with Creamline after completing her Asian Games duties.
For further reading about the national team, you can also check out the analysis of the Gilas Pilipinas roster for the 2026 FIBA qualifiers, as well as the preview of the 2026 PVL Draft covering the league’s upcoming prospects.
Sources
- Sports Inquirer — retrieved October 17, 2026
