Jaja Santiago with husband and volleyball coach Taka Minowa during Game 2 of the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball Finals between NU and La Salle at Mall of Asia Arena.–Lance Agcaoili/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — After winning her first championship in the Japan SV.League, Jaja Santiago, now known as Sachi Minowa, has her sights on playing in Europe.
Santiago is back in Manila to support National University in the finals, once again, as her alma mater seeks a series sweep of La Salle in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 97 women’s volleyball Finals on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.
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Jaja Santiago (Sachi Minowa) is here to support NU in Game 2 vs La Salle. #UAAPSeason87 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/4ygV5rOe6Y
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) May 14, 2025
“So far wala pa kaming plan mag-asawa, naghahanap pa kami ng opportunities namin either, hopefully, Europe but yun nga, kung hindi man ako palarin sa Europe kasi ang pina-priority nila doon ay outside spiker, opposite, setter, and libero. Last talaga ang middle kasi marami silang matatangkad din,” The 6-foot-5 middle blocker, who recently won a title with the Osaka Marvelous, told the reporters.
The former National University star said she’s still open to returning to Japan.
“If ever na hindi ako makakuha ng opportunity sa Europe, I’ll go back to Japan and maybe that’s my last playing year,” she said.
Santiago relished her first Division 1 championship after seven years, leading Osaka’s redemption tour after a runner-up finish last year.
“Very overwhelmed and grateful na sa seven years sa Japan, that was my first championship with JT Marvelous. Sobrang happy kasi last year was very sad na lahat ng games namin naipanalo namin and then the championship game ayun nga natalo kami,” she said.
READ: Jaja Santiago honors PH after winning Japan SV.League title
“This time we don’t have any expectation kasi nga ang dami rin naming talo and we’re really happy na until the end we did our best and got the championship.”
Santiago, who dropped by at Chery Tiggo’s training, is hoping to witness another Lady Bulldogs’ championship in Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon’s final playing year.
“I’m very, very proud sa NU ngayon, lalo na this season dahil meron din silang mga pagbabago. Alam ko na hindi ganun kadali yung mga changes, lalo na sa system ng coaches, especially sa NU na may bago. I think Alyssa [Solomon] had an injury last time,” she said.
“Alam ko na hindi ganun kadali para sa kanila na mawala rin yung isa sa key players nila. I’m very proud na nag-step up yung bawat player sa kanila. Ayoko na ibalik yung time ko kasi maganda na talaga yung pinapakita ng girls and I’m very, very proud of them.”