Jaja Santiago, fresh from a championship stint with Ageo Medics in the Japan Volleyball Cup tournament, will definitely suit up for the national women’s team in the coming Southeast Asian Games later this year in Vietnam.
Arguably the best Filipina volleyball player now, Santiago confirmed her participation to the Manila Standard.
“Definitely, lalaro po ako sa SEA Games, naayos na po namin ‘yung agreement even before I signed up with Ageo Medics. It was included in the contract that I will be allowed two weeks off to play in Vietnam. I will return to Japan in August,” said Santiago.
Santiago was sorely missed in the 2019 SEAG squad due to bureaucratic problems with the Larong Volleyball ng Pilipinas, the national sports association for the sport back then.
The women’ team finished 4th in the biennial meet.
The 25-year-old Santiago is also looking at reaching the finals when her team, Chery Tiggo, formerly Foton, plays in the Premier Volleyball League following the transfer of Philippine Superliga teams to the PVL.
“I am not expecting to easily win the championship in the PVL, but definitely our team will work hard for it,” added Santiago, who will reunite with her sister Dindin Manabat.