MANILA — Jaja Santiago-Minowa will be heading to San Francisco Signal equipped with a lot of learnings and good memories from the Philippines.
Before heading to US’ League One Volleyball (LOVB), the former Japan SV.League import stopped by in the Philippines to play again in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL).
Speaking on her experience of suiting up again here, the 2026 PVL Invitational Best Middle Blocker said her stint with Creamline boosted her confidence.
“Playing here, I think mas nakuha ko ‘yung confidence ko sa paglalaro,” said the Cavite-born Santiago-Minowa.
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“Going to San Francisco, I’m kind of scared because I don’t know kung ano ‘yung magiging performance ko, kung ano ‘yung made-deliver sa team, ‘yung mabibigay ko for the team, but getting the confidence playing back (here) and I know that I’m ready, I’m in a good condition,” she added.
“I think isa ko lang din na madadala is what we got—the challenge, the learnings from the PVL Invitational, and from my teammates, I think ‘yun ‘yung madadala ko, and ‘yung good memories.”
READ: PVL: PLDT denies Creamline, Jaja Santiago to snag bronze
Santiago-Minowa is keeping the Creamline faith, despite the squad falling outside the podium.
“Although hindi ‘man kami pinalad today, this conference, I know God has a plan for the team, for us, and sabi nga namin it’s a good learning, This loss is not… hindi siya ‘yung magde-define sa amin as Creamline,” she said.
“This is gonna be one of our learnings na babaunin namin for the next conference.”
Santiago-Minowa and Creamline lost to PLDT earlier in the day, 20-25, 25-20, 21-25, 22-25, to drop to a fourth-place finish in the six-team tourney, Tuesday.