Jaja Santiago bound for Japan to pursue international career

MANILA, Philippines — After chasing titles in the collegiate and club ranks, Jaja Santiago will be shooting for her lifelong dream — a stint in the international stage.

Santiago will be leaving for Japan in the last week of May to try her luck and crack into the international volleyball arena.

An international agent is helping her achieve her dream while Shun Takahashi — the assistant coach of PSL Manila in the FIVB Women’s Club Championship — had given her some pointers to impress Japanese scouts, coaches and team officials.

It’s not the first time for the 6-foot-5 opposite to be given a solid offer.

Five years ago, a topnotch program in the Division I of the US NCAA in University of California in Los Angeles offered her an athletic scholarship in exchange of joining its women’s volleyball team.

Santiago politely turned down the offer as she was on her way to join National University in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.

Aside from UCLA, Japanese mentor Akiyoshi Kawamoto of the Okayama Seagulls also showed interest, saying that she can be a world-class player due to her deadly brew of height, athleticism and volleyball IQ.

Even Thai powerhouse Bangkok Glass was also interested to recruit her in a bid to regain the title it lost to Supreme Chonburi in the prestigious Thailand Volleyball League.

This year, a new set of offers came flooding in.

Shortly after finishing her UAAP stint, Korean clubs invited her for tryout set from May 3 to 5 in the Italian city of Monza. Santiago failed to make it as Foton was in the thick of its campaign in the Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga Grand Prix.

Sources, however, said Santiago was shortlisted as 36th in the Korean tryout even if she failed to attend.

But with the UAAP and PSL in the books, Santiago is now free to revive her dream of competing in the international arena.

“Hindi ko muna share kung anong team, but most likely sa Japan” said Santiago after Foton bagged the bronze medal in the previous Grand Prix.

“Actually may two teams sa Japan na interested. But if hindi ako matuloy dun, meron si coach (Godfrey) Okumu na gusto i-recommend sa akin na team and si coach Shun is inviting me din. So we’ll see. I think mas madami akong magagandang opportunities kung sa Japan ako maglalaro.”

Foton team manager Diane Santiago confirmed Jaja’s statement, saying that they are looking forward to having her little sister fly the Philippine flag in an international league.

She said whatever the outcome of the tryout would be, the Tornadoes will be very supportive of her.

“After all, she will always be a Foton Tornado,” said Santiago before breaking into laugher.

“Whatever happens, her Foton family will be very supportive. We wish her well.”