Jaja Santiago, now known as Sachi Minowa, bid Osaka the perfect farewell — helping the team exact sweet revenge on NEC to capture the 2024–25 Japan SV.League title on Saturday night.
Santiago announced ahead of the playoffs that this would be her final season with the Marvelous, and she made it count — contributing to their dominant 25-22, 25-21, 25-16 Game 2 victory at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo that completed a series sweep of the Red Rockets.
The former Premier Volleyball League MVP delivered an efficient performance in the clincher, scoring 10 points off seven attacks and three kill blocks to finish as Osaka’s third-leading scorer in the title-clinching win, which lasted for an hour and 23 minutes.
It was the ultimate redemption for Santiago and the Marvelous following a bridesmaid finish to the same squad in the previous season.
The 6-foot-4 middle blocker received a much-needed boost in the finals series with her family, including husband Taka Minowa and sister Dindin Santiago-Manabat, cheering from the sidelines as she secured her first-ever title in the SV.League.
“She finally won the championship in the Japan League,” posted Minowa just moments after his wife’s brilliant performance in Game 2.
Belgian reinforcement Lise Van Hecke spearheaded a well-rounded offensive effort for the Marvelous, scoring a team-high 13 points. Meanwhile, team captain Mizuki Tanaka added 12 markers.
The team made history by becoming the first champion of the newly rebranded league, which succeeded the V.League.
Osaka set the tone early in the series by securing a lopsided, 25-14, 25-10, 25-21 victory over NEC in Game 1 yesterday.
Santiago contributed 12 points in the opener, delivering an ultra-efficient 8-of-11 performance on attacks, along with four key blocks in the quick one-hour. 13-minute triumph.
The former National University standout averaged 11.0 points, including 7.5 attacks and 3.5 kill blocks, over the two-game finals series.
Santiago has yet to announce her plans for the future after completing her contract with the Marvelous.
