It is rare that an opponents’ height gives the 6’6” Jaja Santiago problems. But when she’s facing the La Salle-powered Cargo Movers, Santiago admits to having problems with their length.
“Malalaki din sila talaga. Hindi lang ‘yung mga gitna nila, kahit sila ate Cha (Cruz), Kianna (Dy), at Kim (Fajardo), matatangkad at mahahaba din ‘yung kamay so kailangan talaga hanapan ng paraan ‘yung mga atake kahit ako,” said the two-time UAAP Best Attacker.
In Game One of the PSL All-Filipino Conference Finals, Santiago’s Foton Tornadoes mustered a late rally but fell in the fifth set to the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers.
The National University star contributed 19 points but was helpless as she watched F2 Logistics sweep through her team in the fifth set. When F2 made their game-clinching run, Santiago was rotated to the back row and was replaced by a libero.
Being one of the team’s potent offensive threats, it frustrates Santiago that she couldn’t be on the court to help her teammates through that rough stretch.
“Gustong-gusto ko talaga pumasok para makatulong sa teammates ko kaso di talaga pwede kasi si Ate Maika (Ortiz) na ‘yung nasa harap.”
“Ganoon talaga pag middle ka, sinubukan ko na lang gawin ‘yung best ko pagpasok ko kaso kinulang pa ‘din,” the 20-year old expressed.
In order for Foton to take Game Two and force a winner-take-all Game Three, Santiago thinks the Tornadoes simply need consistency.
“Kailangan lang maging consistent kami sa lahat ng gagawin namin – sa atake, sa receive, sa blocking, sa depensa. ‘Yun kasi ang nagkulang sa amin. Nagagawa namin ng maayos pero hidi buong game,” Santiago closed.
Game Three will be on Saturday, 2:30 pm at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
