Jaja eager to make PVL comeback with Cool Smashers
Five years after she dominated the Premier Volleyball League, Jaja Santiago-Minowa returned to the Philippine professional volleyball league with a heartwarming On Tour stop in Victorias City, Negros Occidental, where she was warmly received despite her playing status still being uncertain.
Santiago-Minowa, a Japan SV.League mainstay, has started her limited time with the Cool Smashers through an official meet-and-greet. She will play one tournament with the squad before she heads to the United States for a stint in League One Volleyball in January.
The 6-foot-5 middle blocker joined the team in Bacolod and accommodated Ilonggo fans seeking selfies, autographs and video greetings on Thursday evening.
The last time she played in the PVL, Santiago-Minowa was nearly unstoppable, emerging as Open Conference and Finals MVP, as well as Best Middle Blocker, when Chery Tiggo captured the maiden pro crown against Creamline in a thrilling Game 3 inside the bubble in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte.
Santiago-Minowa is excited for her homecoming with Creamline this time as they battle defending champion PLDT, Nxled and Farm Fresh, as well as guest teams EST Cola from Thailand and Ho Chi Minh City of Vietnam, starting on August 31.
“There are a lot of new players. The others are my teammates now. I haven’t played with them because most of them are fresh graduates. I’m really excited to play against all the teams in the Invitationals,” said Santiago-Minowa in Filipino.
The former National University stalwart will get to face new league MVPs in Trisha Tubu of Farm Fresh, Savi Davison of PLDT and Brooke Van Sickle of Nxled.
Santiago-Minowa is just glad that she’s able to play again in the PVL before she opens a new chapter of her career in the US.
Will Santiago-Minowa play in Creamline’s final On Tour game against Galeries? She said she is willing, but it’s up to coach Sherwin Meneses.
