Standing at 6’6” with the wingspan of a pterodactyl, Jaja Santiago is the most imposing player in local volleyball today.
Recently, the 20-year-old had herself a roller coaster of a week, testing her mettle against the best in Asia in the AVC AWCC, while at the same time leading her National University Lady Bulldogs in the Shakey’s V-League Collegiate Conference.
There was even a day when Santiago played two matches consecutively, and still, she displayed dominant form.
Asian coaches gushed over her height and potential, while the collegiate teams in the SVL felt every bit of her talent and power.
“Jaja is the great hope for Philippine volleyball,” quipped Foton head coach Fabio Menta.
All this is a lot to take in for a teenager still trying to get through college and the challenges of being a young woman in the modern world.
But Santiago carries it all in stride.
“Siyempre nakaka-overwhelm tuwing makakarinig ako ng mga ganyan sinasabi tungkol sa akin. Parang challenge din siya na kailangan ko pang mag-effort talaga para mag-improve pa,” Santiago told Tiebreaker Times.
“Pero kapag naririnig ko rin po kasi ‘yung ‘hope for Philippine volleyball’, alam ko pong hindi lang sa akin nakasalalay ‘yun.
“Siyempre hindi lang isang tao ang naglalaro sa team so sa tingin ko po importante na lahat magkaroon ng opportunity,” the 20-year-old insisted.
The Cavite native has just led her Lady Bulldogs to a second straight SVL Collegiate Conference championship and brought home the MVP award along the way.
Although she’ll probably have a stack of individual awards taller than her in the near future, Santiago treasures the championships and the teammates that have been with her along the way.
“Hindi ko na nga maalala kung ilang ‘yung individual awards ko pero naaalala ko pa kung ilan ‘yung championships at kung sino ‘yung mga kasama ko sa team.
“Para sa akin, mas importante ‘yun,” she concluded.
