Santiago turning Japanese
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is losing another generational athlete.
This time it’s volleyball’s Jaja Santiago.
National women’s volley team coach Jorge Souza de Brito confirmed that the 27-year-old, 6-4 Santiago is not in the 17-player pool for the Phnom Penh Southeast Asian Games this May as she’s undergoing naturalization process for her to become a Japanese citizen.
“She has started the process of citizenship. Bad for us, good for them,” said the Brazilian mentor.
Santiago is another prized Phl player that has decided to change citizenship, joining a list that includes chess’ Wesley So, who is now an American.
Santiago has been playing in the Japanese league for Saitama Ageo Medics since 2018 and was engaged with Japanese coach Taka Minowa a year ago.
She is now in a two-year residency period required for her by the FIVB to be allowed to suit up for another federation, thus preventing her to suit up for the Filipinas anymore.
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