Jillian Santos has always been one to embrace challenges.
From honing her skills from workouts with Ateneo great Alyssa Valdez to making her mark in the US, the 5-foot-10 opposite hitter now finds herself back home.
And she’s ready to take on the next chapter of her volleyball journey — with De La Salle University.
After three years with University of Illinois Chicago, where she served as team captain in her senior season, Santos is bringing back a wealth of experience. She also graduated summa cum laude with a degree in psychology.
Now, as a master’s student-athlete for La Salle, she is eager to prove her worth in the UAAP.
For Santos, the decision to return to the Philippines was personal.
“First and foremost, my family is all here. They mean a lot to me, so I wanted to come home,” she shared.
But it wasn’t just about being close to home — an opportunity presented itself, and she couldn’t pass it up.
“After learning that I had two more years of UAAP eligibility left, La Salle reached out to me. They not only offered me a chance to play but also pursue my master’s in clinical psychology,” Santos explained.
“Alongside that, it’s always great to be home.”
While other options may have existed, it was the Lady Spikers’ program that stood out the most.
“La Salle was the primary one that really expressed interest,” she said. “They got to know me on a personal level — even my dad (Jeffrey) and other family members. They built that connection, which impacted my decision.
“Plus, my mom (Gieneen) graduated from La Salle, so that also played a role.”
Under the legendary guidance of Ramil de Jesus, La Salle has long been a powerhouse.
Now, Santos gets to experience firsthand what it’s like to train under one of the most respected coaches in the country.
“Coach Ramil is a great mentor,” she said. “You can see day in and day out that he truly cares about the personal excellence of each one of his players. I’m grateful to be a part of his system this season.”
Santos is no stranger to the UAAP scene.
Before heading to the U.S., she studied at and played for National University-Nazareth School and later suited up for University of Santo Tomas. She also had a brief stint with Ateneo as part of the COVID reserves in Season 84.
With her return to the UAAP, she is set to face familiar faces across the net — former teammates and friends who have also grown in their respective collegiate programs.
“I’m so excited to face them,” she expressed. “Friendships built through volleyball are what really connect us. It’s great to see them again, and I’m excited to compete against them this upcoming season.”
Santos’ three-year stint in the U.S. was transformative, both as a student and as an athlete.
Competing at a high level in the NCAA challenged her in ways she never expected.
“It was incredible — playing in another country, experiencing a new level of play, and pushing myself,” she recalled. “I made lifelong friends, learned a lot about independence, and even became captain of UIC in my last season. That was something I never expected, but I welcomed the challenge with open arms.”
Her experience abroad shaped her, and she hopes to bring those lessons into her role with La Salle.
“It forced me to step out of my comfort zone and understand myself better — not just as a player but as a person,” she said. “Now, I’m back to square one with La Salle, but I’m ready to learn again and adapt to the Philippine style of play.”
While she thrived in the U.S., Santos acknowledges that the style of play in the Philippines presents a different kind of challenge.
“I would describe U.S. volleyball as ‘big man volleyball.’ It’s all about length and physicality,” she explained. “Here in the Philippines, players are so smart in crafting plays and adapting to situations. It’s a more scrappy, strategic game, and that’s something I really appreciate after coming from the States.”
With UAAP Season 87 fast approaching, Santos is fully locked in on her new journey with the Lady Spikers.
She knows expectations will be high, but she welcomes the challenge with the same mindset that got her to where she is today.
“I’m always going to give a hundred percent — on and off the court,” she declared.
“Our team is working hard. We’re excited for the competition, and yes, we’re gunning for that championship. We’re confident.”
