Back on April 22, 2018, Jaja Santiago left the SM Mall of Asia Arena in heartbreak.
Santiago, then just 22 years old, ended her stellar run with National University without a championship.
It was an emotional moment for the native of Tanza, Cavite, who was seen as the ‘next big thing’ in Philippine volleyball and was expected to dominate the UAAP ranks.
Fast forward to 2,215 days later, at the very same venue, Santiago was raising her fist with pride.
The Lady Bulldogs had just won their second championship in three years.
“Nakaka-proud sila sobra. Naiiyak ako at nanginginig ako sobra,” said the now 28-year-old Santiago.
“Bumalik yung alaala ko nung last playing year ko sa NU kaya nakakaiyak talaga.”
Back in the country earlier than she expected, Santiago returned to her roots, helping train the Lady Bulldogs for their Finals series against the UST Golden Tigresses.
There, she got to know the new breed of Bulldogs.
(C) Julius Domondon/UAAP Season 86 Media Team
“Seeing them here in the championship… Last time kasi, di ako nakapunta kasi liga din namin, first time ko manood ngayon. ‘Lam mo yun? Kahapon nag-training ako kasama sila, kaya nararamdaman ko talaga pagod nila,” she shared.
“Hugging Alyssa (Solomon), naramdaman ko na worth it lahat ng pinagtrabahuan nila.”
One of the Lady Bulldogs that Santiago took under her wing was senior Alyssa Solomon.
It is with Solomon that she was able to relate.
Solomon stands at 6-foot-1 – just five inches shorter than Santiago.
Solomon’s short training with Santiago paid off, dropping 17 points on 14 spikes and three blocks to go with eight digs in Game 1.
She then finished with 27 points spread across 20 attacks, four blocks, and three service aces in the clincher.
(C) Julius Domondon/UAAP Season 86 Media Team
“Hindi naman dahil sa akin yun. Dahil yun sa willingness niya mag-improve every game and I think gusto talaga niya i-lead yung team niya sa championship,” Santiago said, downplaying her role in Solomon’s development.
“Nakaka-proud kasi ako yung isa sa nilu-look up niya na player at happy ako na nakinig siya sa kaunting advice na binigay namin. Nandun na talaga siya. May mga parts lang tayo na kailangan i-remind sila.”
Truly, this championship was a full-circle moment for Santiago, who is soon about to get her Japanese citizenship.
Every moment in the finals made her feel like she was back in her collegiate days.
“Sabi ko nga, kahit hindi ako nakaranas ng championship sa NU, but seeing them and supporting them, nakaka-proud at parang nakapag-champion na rin ako.”
