Jaja Santiago-Minowa was highly impressed with Trisha Tubu in their first-ever matchup in the Premier Volleyball League.
Santiago-Minowa returned to the PVL after five years for a short stint with Creamline in the 2026 Invitational Conference before heading to the United States to play in the regular season of the League One Volleyball (LOVB).
Fortunately for Tubu, Farm Fresh also qualified for the Invitationals after finishing fourth in the 2026 All-Filipino Conference, which Creamline won.
That set up Tubu’s first matchup against the 6-foot-5 middle blocker, with the Cool Smashers escaping with a 25-18, 24-26, 25-22, 23-25, 15-4 five-set victory over the Foxies on Thursday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
For the 30-year-old Santiago-Minowa, the Cool Smashers had to make adjustments to contain Tubu and secure the hard-fought victory.
(C) PVL Images
“Actually, I’m very honored din na makalaban si Tubu and nung last na laro ko (sa PVL), wala pa siya nun eh. Nasa college pa siya nun eh,” said the Filipino-born Japanese player.
“Grabe, 19 points din siya. Grabe. Kasi ‘yung talon ni Tubu, how she spikes, parang talagang high caliber na player talaga na pag angat ng bola palo,” added the two-time Best Middle Blocker in the Japan SV.League.
Tubu, who has won five of the last seven Best Opposite Spiker awards in the PVL, was held in check in the decisive fifth set.
The Farm Fresh star struggled to get past the wall formed by Santiago-Minowa and Jema Galanza, who combined for four blocks against her in the final frame as Creamline pulled away for the win.
“Kailangan lang namin talagang pagaralan habang nakakalaro namin siya, and very grateful kay Jema kasi we’re communicating doon sa blocking towards the end,” said Santiago-Minowa.
“Sobrang ganda talaga ng execution niya sa block with Tubu and ayun, we’re very happy na makalaban siya and marami rin kaming natutunan sa kanya.”
