Kyle Negrito owes steady rise to ‘GOAT’ Jia De Guzman

MANILA, Philippines — Kyle Negrito has proven her doubters wrong once again after winning her first Best Setter award and helping Creamline claim its second PVL title without Jia De Guzman.

Negrito became the second Cool Smashers to win the Best Setter plum after eight-time winner De Guzman, who missed the past two PVL conferences due to her stint with the Denso Airybees in Japan.

More importantly, Creamline remained on top with Negrito as its main playmaker after completing a series sweep of sister team Choco Mucho, 20-25, 25-20, 22-25, 25-22, 15-11, in Game 2 in front of 23,162 fans on Sunday evening at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

READ: Creamline’s depth leads to another PVL crown at expense of Choco Mucho

Social media hasn’t been kind to Negrito, who was being compared to De Guzman often. But what’s important for Negrito is De Guzman’s trust and guidance even though the latter was in Japan, playing in the V.League and other pocket tournaments.

“I’m me, and Ate Jia is Ate Jia, and Ate Jia is the GOAT,” said Negrito. “I think this conference is not different from last conference. Unang-una pa lang, ‘yun na ‘yung hinahanap ng mga tao. Kami ni Ate Jia, lagi po kaming nag-uusap and grabe yung guidance niya rin sa akin. Yung team ko naman, yung coaches, hindi naman hinahanap si Ate Jia sa akin.”

De Guzman, who arrived in the country a few days ago, cheered for Creamline in its title-clinching win and expressed how proud she is for Negrito.

Kyle Negrito: I’m me and Ate Jia is the G.O.A.T. #PVL2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/iL2VhBhSyx

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) May 12, 2024

READ: PVL: Jia De Guzman proud of Kyle Negrito, Creamline

“Seeing ate Jia tonight was really inspiring. All throughout the conference naman, mga nagdaang conferences,  continuous naman yung nagiging usap namin,” Negrito said. “Masasabi ko rin talaga na grabe din yung naitulong niya sa akin na pag-boost din ng confidence ko. Talagang nararamdaman ko yung support nya and yung tiwala niya sa akin. So, I try to do my job and I’m happy na nag-result.”

For the people who believe in her, Negrito offered her gold medal and “four-peat” shirt as a sign of gratitude for their unending support, which kept her going despite the doubts and pressure of anchoring the offense of the most successful PVL club.

“Gusto ko pong magpasalamat sa mga totoong fans ng Creamline Cool Smashers, sa lahat po ng naniwala sa amin at sinamahan kami hanggang dulo na kahit anong nangyayari sa team namin ay hindi kami sinusukuan. Para po sa inyo ‘to,” she said, pointing at her gold medal and championship shirt.