BACARRA, ILOCOS NORTE — Jaja Santiago went home with a lot of trophies, Friday evening here.
With norms of 14.82 points per game up until Game Two of the 2021 Premier Volleyball League Open Conference semifinals, she was adjudged the Conference Most Valuable Player. Of course, she was also part of the All-Premier team as one of the two top middle blockers.
She would also receive the Finals MVP plum after putting up 25.3 points per contest in Chery Tiggo’s three-game conquest of Creamline.
But for the 25-year-old native of Tanza, Cavite, the individual awards are just a bonus. What she sought was the championship — her first title in a domestic league since 2016.
“Sobrang saya kasi… Akin talaga, hindi ko ine-expect magkaroon ng any awards,” said Santiago, who is also the import of V.League team Ageo Medics.
“Ang iniisip ko lang is makuha namin ‘tong championship na ito. It’s a big, big blessing sa amin.”
Santiago then deflected the credit for the finals series that saw both Chery Tiggo and Creamline play a total of five hours and 57 minutes — and 14 total sets — in a span of three days.
If she had her way, Jaja would give the trophy to her older sister Dindin. The elder Santiago sister averaged 23.5 points in the finals series — including a 32-point barrage in Game Three.
“Itong MVP award, nagpapasalamat ako kay God dahil another achievement for me. But this award, I want to give it to my sister and to all my teammates.
“Kung hindi dahil sa kanila, wala kami dito. Kung hindi dahil sa kanila, wala akong championship,” she expressed.
This is an extraordinary season for Santiago since unlike in Japan, it took place inside a bubble.
That is why she will make sure to celebrate this one with the bosses of Chery Tiggo, who continued to support her and the team despite the ongoing pandemic.
“Hopefully, makapag-celebrate kami with our team managers. Pero gagawin namin ang lahat para ma-celebrate ito. Once-in-a-lifetime ito.”
