Jaja Santiago leaves for Japan, chases international stint

MANILA, Philippines – Jaja Santiago quietly left for Tokyo to chase her volleyball dream.

Her older sister – Diane Santiago – confirmed Jaja’s departure, saying that the Foton star is set to try her luck with a couple of Japanese teams in a bid to jumpstart her international career.

Jaja is a gem of a prospect.

Gifted with height, skills and agility, the 6-foot-5 opposite won the hearts of a handful of international club in the past couple of years playing for the Philippine national women’s team.

In fact, in a training camp in Japan last year, noted mentor Akiyoshi Kawamoto expressed his willingness to tap her for the Okayama Seagulls, a squad that is seeing action in the prestigious V.Premier League.

“She can be a world-class player,” said Kawamoto just before the Nationals formally wrapped up their training camp in Okayama City.

“I like her height and skills. She just has to train hard to correct some mistakes in blocking and floor defense. But overall, she can be a very good player.”

Diane said now that Jaja already finished her UAAP career with National University, it is now time for her to spread her wings and realize her dream of playing abroad.

“She doesn’t have a club in Japan yet, but she’s very eager to make a strong impression,” she said, adding that former PSL Manila trainer Shun Takahashi vowed to recruit Jaja for her club if she would be left unsigned at the end of her brief visit.

“A lot of clubs are interested to recruit her. However, they want to see her first before offering her a contract. I hope everything will turn out well.”

Diane added that Jaja badly wants to break into the international arena.

“She didn’t stop training even after the Grand Prix,” she said.

 “She also got admitted to (the) hospital last Sunday after suffering viral infection. But she refused to quit. After she was discharged, she insisted to train because she wants to be at her best for the Japan tryout.”

“That’s how motivated she is.”

Jaja would be flying back to the country on June 1.

And Diane is hoping that she will arrive with a shiny new contract on her pocket.