Kate Santiago has joined Trisha Tubu as undergraduates who have opted to turn pro with Farm Fresh.
Santiago, who still has three playing years left with Adamson University, will no longer be allowed to play in the UAAP after signing with a Premier Volleyball League club.
The decision to work was a tough one for the 21-year-old native of Zamboanga City. But she needed to support her family.
“Pa-joke-joke lang ako pero sad din siyempre. Pero pinili ko muna maging praktikal kasi gusto ko na ba tumulong sa family,” said Santiago, the seventh-best scorer of UAAP Season 85.
“Gusto ko naman ma-experience nila ‘yung may naiaabot ako sa kanila.”
But that does not mean that she will stop with their studies.
Team manager Janica Lao will also shoulder the school expenses of Santiago and Tubu.
The two only have a few semesters left at Adamson before obtaining their undergraduate degrees.
“Of course, our priority in Farm Fresh is the well-being of our players. We want them not just to succeed on the court but also off of it,” said Janica, the eldest of three siblings.
“While they are playing for us, they will still continue to attend school. That’s the promise we made to their parents when they signed with us.”
Grateful are Santiago and Tubu that they will still get to achieve their dreams of being graduates despite turning pro.
“‘Yun kasi ang bilin ng owner ng Farm Fresh — na tapusin daw namin ang pag-aaral namin. Kaya grab the opportunity ako pero kahit nasa pro no, excited pa rin talaga ako matuto,” said Santiago.
“Hindi ko sasayangin itong opportunity.”
“Hindi po talaga optional na tatapusin ang pag-aaral. It’s a must po kasi alam ko naman po na hindi forever ang volleyball. Kaya sobrang thankful ko po kanila Boss Frank at sa Farm Fresh kasi sila pa po mismo ang nagpu-push na dapat tapusin ko,” expressed Tubu.
“Kaya rin po lalong nakaka-inspire.”
