Jaja Santiago has officially been welcomed to the United States-based professional league, League One Volleyball.
Last Friday, June 19, Santiago announced that she would be moving to the United States after spending seven seasons playing in Japan. On Thursday, LOVB officially confirmed her signing.
The 30-year-old middle blocker, who carries the Japanese name Sachi Minowa, spent her first five seasons in Japan’s former V.League Division 1 with Saitama Ageo Medics before transferring to powerhouse club Osaka Marvelous. There, she helped the team capture the 2024-25 championship in the newly-rebranded SV.League.
For what proved to be her final season in Japan, Santiago suited up for the Denso Airybees during the 2025-26 campaign.
Over her eight-year stint in Japan, Santiago established herself as one of the league’s top middle blockers, earning two Best Middle Blocker awards and developing into a dominant presence at the net.
Santiago obtained Japanese citizenship in 2024. Her last appearance in Philippine volleyball came during the 2021 Premier Volleyball League Open Conference, where she led Chery Tiggo to its first and only championship.
LOVB is a professional volleyball league in the United States that was founded in 2020 and held its inaugural season in 2025.
Under the league’s structure, players are signed by LOVB before being assigned to one of its 10 teams.
Among the league’s notable stars are reigning MVP Jordan Thompson, Olympic champion Jordan Larson, and Japanese national team libero Manami Kojima. Former PVL import Khat Bell also competes in the league.
Santiago joins a growing list of international standouts in LOVB, including recently signed Thailand star Pimpichaya Kokram.
