Two games in, and it’s safe to say life has gotten a whole lot easier for Creamline with Jaja Santiago-Minowa on board.
The Cool Smashers once again showcased just how much of a difference the towering middle blocker can make, overpowering Ho Chi Minh City from start to finish to remain unbeaten in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference on Tuesday night.
“Napapadali ‘yung laro ng Creamline eh,” said Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses moments after their 25-18, 25-16, 25-6 sweep of the Vietnamese squad at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Jema Galanza echoed the same sentiment, saying Minowa has made the transition seamless with how easy she is to be around and how quickly she has adjusted to the team.
More importantly, Galanza said the former Japan SV.League star middle blocker has brought plenty of knowledge that she can share with her teammates.
(C) PVL Images
“Siyempre, masaya. Sobrang gaan kasama si Jaja kasi hindi mo kailangang mag-isip bago pumalo. Kasi siya na yung papalo. Pero, ayun. Madami kang matututunan kay Jaja. Andami niya nashe-share sa amin,” said the former league MVP, who went up against Minowa in the UAAP and PVL years ago.
“And, ayun nga, madali siyang kasama sa loob kasi talagang nag-a-adjust siya sa sistema namin, which is yun talaga yung kailangan kasi may nabuo na talaga sa sistema yung Creamline. And, thank you so much, Jaja, for that,” she added.
Meneses said Minowa’s 6-foot-5 frame has plugged a glaring hole in the middle for the Cool Smashers, who have long been known to lack size at the net, giving them a much-needed presence that has already made a noticeable difference.
Her size, coupled with her leadership and wealth of experience, has given Creamline another dimension, making the Cool Smashers an even tougher team to handle.
“Siyempre, ‘yung team namin hindi ganun kalaki eh. Knowing Jaja, sobrang nakaka-intimidate siya sa harap. ‘Yung presence niya talaga sobrang hirap kung kalaban mo siya. Syempre ‘yung leadership and experience niya, mas napapadali ‘yung depensa namin kapag si Jaja ‘yung nasa harap,” said Meneses.
And with Minowa still finding her rhythm with the squad, Meneses and Galanza believe the best is yet to come for the Cool Smashers.
“So marami, marami pa siguro kasi nakakadalawang games pa lang si Jaja sa amin na talagang magiging maganda pa hanggang sa dulo. Syempre dapat healthy kami talaga every game,” Meneses explained.
“Super excited pa ako kasi two games pa lang, so madami pang kayang ilaro talaga si Jaja, so abangan nyo po,” added Galanza.
