Jia De Guzman hopes more prep time for future Alas Pilipinas tourneys after AVC bronze

Jia De Guzman had a 'surreal' feeling after Alas Pilipinas bagged the bronze medal in the AVC Challenge Cup, but hopes there will be more preparation time for the squad in future tournaments.

Team captain De Guzman said they entered the tourney without expecting anything, but finished on the podium despite the short preparation time.

"It feels surreal. Kasi actually, I think it’s going to take a while for it to sink in kasi we went into this game not expecting anything. We went and we’re not expecting anything and now we’re going home with a medal," said De Guzman, who was also named as the tourney's best setter.

"We’re really hopeful, we’re looking forward to more preparations for the upcoming tournaments that we will play in kasi kung ganito 'yung napakita namin ngayon, we just hope na now, we just keep improving and move up."

With the historic feat the team has achieved, De Guzman said she is blessed to play with such talented players.

"Sobrang thankful ko lang talaga na I was given the opportunity to be the leader of this team, it was such a great team."

Alas Pilipinas will next participate in an exhibition match in Korea, followed by the FIVB Challenger Cup, and the SEA V.League.

—With reports from Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News