Throughout her first four seasons in the UAAP, Jaja Santiago was always the tallest player on the court. But she was never officially the most valuable.
Everything finally aligned for the six-foot-five National University Lady Bulldogs ace in the UAAP Season 80 Women’s Volleyball Tournament, as she was named the MVP, finally winning the trophy in her final season in the UAAP.
Season 79 was arguably a better statistical outing for Santiago. The Lady Bulldogs’ push into the Fifnal Four proved to be difference for her claiming the award this season.
“Siyempre masaya ako kasi, sabi ko nga, ‘yung MVP award is a big bonus sa akin ngayong mage-end ‘yung Season 80,” Santiago told Tiebreaker Times.
“Sabi ko itong MVP award na ‘to, nagbigay ng motivation para sa mga darating kong opportunity. It showed me na kailangan ko pang mag-strive.”
The Cavite native admitted that she had doubted the she would win the award after NU’s 1-6 slide in the second round. She admitted that she thought Far Eastern University open hitter Bernadeth Pons would edge her out.
“Akala ko nga si Pons ‘yung magiging MVP kasi binigay niya talaga ‘yung best niya and, ‘yun nga, nasa Finals sila ngayon. So, siyempre, hindi ko talaga inakala,” the 22-year-old said.
Santiago recalls being emotional. Winning MVP was her grandfather’s, Boy Antonio Santiago’s, last wish for her before passing away earlier this year.
“Masaya ako kasi last year, bago pa mawala ‘yung lolo ko, lagi niyang sinasabi na ‘Anak, sayo na ‘yung MVP award’. ‘Yun na lang talaga hinihiling niya. Noong nakuha ko, medyo emotional. Sabi nga ng lola ko, masaya na siya kasi nakuha ko na ‘yung MVP award,” she confessed.
“Hindi man namin nakuha ‘yung title, itong MVP na ‘to, nag-prove na nagawa pa rin namin ‘yung best naming lahat kung wala ‘yung teammates ko.”
