BACARRA, ILOCOS NORTE — Jaja Santiago was the first to admit that she got rattled when Creamline took the first two sets in the final match of the 2021 Premier Volleyball League Open Conference finals.
Luckily for her, she had her older sister Dindin Santiago-Manabat to calm her down.
“Sobrang saya kasi alam mo yun nung first set second set parang nawawala talaga ako pero siya yung nagstep up para sa team and then pagdating sa dulo kinakapitan ko siya at yung teammates ko na guys sa atin to,” revealed Jaja, who is two years younger than Dindin.
“Lalong lalo na yung ate ko na sabi, ‘Ja, ituloy mo lang’. Sobrang nakakaproud na naglalaro ka kasama yung kapatid mo na maghihila sayo at di ka niya ile-let down talaga.”
Once her nerves finally settled, Santiago took over for the Crossovers in the next two sets, unleashing 26 points — including the championship-nailing quick — to lead the 23-25, 20-25, 25-21, 25-23, 15-8 reverse sweep of the Cool Smashers on Friday at the PCV Socio-Civic and Cultural Center.
When the dust settled, the 6-foot-5 Japan V.League champion was hailed both the Conference and the Finals Most Valuable Player plums.
And for Santiago, none of it would have been possible without her sister Dindin, who made sure to guide her every step of the way — from childhood up to the biggest stage of her volleyball career.
“Sobrang special talaga na kasama ko siya kasi yun nga antagal na naming inaantay tong panahon na ito na magchampion kami na nasa isang team kami,” said Santiago as her last championship was back in the 2016 PSL Grand Prix.
“Kasi lagi kaming magkalaban pagdating sa championship.”
