MANILA — Jaja Santiago-Minowa acknowledged that her blending with Creamline is still a work in progress.
Playing only her second game with the squad, the US-bound middle blocker noted that she is still adjusting, although she has already posted 19 points on 17 attacks, one block, and an ace in Creamline’s 25-20, 25-23, 23-25, 25-20 victory over Nxled, Monday in the 2026 PVL Invitational Conference.
She shared that she has been training with the Cool Smashers for two months now.
“Tingin ko nasa 70 percent—nando’n na. Hindi ‘yung team e—it’s me na kailangan talaga [mag-adjust]. Sistema nila ‘yun e, nandito ako, nag-iisa ako na pumasok sa kanila,” she said.
The former National University standout is wary of the difficulties of adjusting physically to the Creamline system.
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“Tingin ko never naman naging easy na maka-adjust. Sabi ko nga kanina, I’m still learning din. ‘Yung two months, at least it’s enough to adjust but masasabi nating madali? Siguro hindi, kasi may mga players na nagte-take time bago maka-adjust sa sistema especially kung iba ‘yung nakagisnan ng katawan mo, ‘yung muscle memory mo diba,” she said.
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Santiago-Minowa is hopeful that it will eventually jell as they aim the top prize in the week-long tournament.
“Ako ‘yung dapat mag-adjust talaga, and kailangan ko pa matutunan ‘yung sa blocking system namin, ‘yung defense, pero I think hindi naman siya mahirap kasi it’s been two months na rin na nagte-training ako sa kanila, and tingin ko we’re getting there,” she said.
“Itong whole Invitational hanggang finals, tingin ko magko-connect lahat.”