VICTORIAS City — Jaja Santiago’s highly anticipated return to Philippine competitive volleyball takes center stage as Creamline battles Galeries Tower in the Premier Volleyball League On Tour finale today at the Victorias City Coliseum in Negros Occidental.
Santiago, now known by her Japanese name Sachi Minowa, is expected to suit up for the Cool Smashers in their 6:30 p.m. showdown with the Highrisers, giving Negrense fans a first-hand look at the towering middle blocker before the PVL Invitational Conference.
The former Philippine national team standout’s appearance headlines the conclusion of the league’s six-week provincial campaign and marks another step in her brief homecoming stint with powerhouse Creamline.
Santiago last played competitively in the Philippines for Chery Tiggo, which she helped capture the historic 2021 PVL Open Conference championship before taking her career to Japan. She later became a Japanese citizen and continued playing overseas.
Her Philippine homecoming already included a friendly match against Choco Mucho in Cagayan de Oro, but the Victorias City encounter offers Santiago another opportunity to reconnect with Filipino volleyball fans.
“It’s really good to be back. Na-miss ko talaga ang mga ganito dito sa Pilipinas,” Santiago said.
The match also marks Santiago’s return to Negros Occidental, where she last played during her high school years.
“So sobrang happy and excited ako to play here again,” she added.
Santiago will join forces with several of Creamline’s biggest names, including Alyssa Valdez, Michelle Gumabao and Jema Galanza, as the Cool Smashers seek to close their On Tour campaign with a victory.
Despite her extensive international experience, Santiago said she is looking forward to learning from both Creamline’s established stars and its younger players.
“Overwhelming kasi ang daming talented players sa Creamline, and marami ring mga bata,” she said. “I’m really excited to learn from the young players and, of course, from the OGs of Creamline.”
Santiago’s stay with Creamline is expected to be short-lived as she is set to pursue a professional opportunity in the United States following the Invitational Conference.
Galeries Tower, however, will attempt to spoil Santiago’s highly anticipated appearance and Creamline’s bid for a winning finish.
The Highrisers have split their first two On Tour assignments, opening with a four-set victory over Farm Fresh before suffering a straight-set defeat to Nxled.
Erika Deloria, Jean Asis, Roselle Baliton and Jade Gentapa are expected to carry the offensive load for Galeries Tower, with veterans Aiza Maizo, Camille Victoria and Lycha Ebon providing support.
Capital1 and Farm Fresh open the Victorias City double-header at 4 p.m., with both squads also seeking to wrap up their provincial assignments on a high note.
Capital1 libero Roma Doromal said the On Tour campaign has helped the Solar Spikers develop their chemistry while giving aspiring volleyball players in the provinces an opportunity to see PVL action up close.
“It’s nice kasi ang idea ng PVL On Tour is that we get to inspire aspiring athletes in the provinces,” Doromal said. “For us, malaking opportunity rin ito because everyone gets a chance to play. Nakakatulong iyon para mabuo namin ang chemistry and makita kung nasaan na kami as a team as we prepare for the All-Filipino Conference.”
Farm Fresh, meanwhile, hopes to carry the momentum from its impressive straight-set victory over Nxled in Lanao del Norte.
Reigning MVP Trisha Tubu will spearhead the Foxies alongside Ces Molina, Royse Tubino, Riri Meneses, Rizza Cruz, Roselyn Aquino and Ara Galang.
The Victorias City double-header concludes the PVL’s six-week provincial swing that also brought professional volleyball action to Isabela, Batangas, Ilocos Sur, South Cotabato and Lanao del Norte./PN
