With her husband, Taka Minowa, now coaching a team in the Premier Volleyball League, would Jaja Santiago ever consider joining him if and when she returns to the Philippines?
Minowa, who is set to lead new PVL club Nxled, shared his thoughts about the possibility of teaming up with his wife during the PVL Second All-Filipino Conference press conference at the Discovery Suites on Wednesday.
The 32-year-old Japanese head coach stated that while Santiago loves him deeply, he doesn’t believe the JT Marvelous blocker would choose to join the Chameleons simply because of her loyalty to the Crossovers.
“We’re not sure,” Minowa said. “But for sure, she loves Chery (Tiggo) because Chery (has) helped her a lot, and Nxled is a new team.
“Even though she loves me deeply, we’re not sure,” he added jokingly.
Turning serious, Minowa revealed that leaving Santiago alone in Japan to pursue a coaching career in the Philippines has been tough for both of them.
“Actually, it’s hard, especially for her, not for me. It’s harder for Jaja because she loves her family. That’s why I’m married to Jaja because she always takes care of me, even though we’re far from each other,” said the assistant coach of the Japan women’s national volleyball team.
Santiago made sure to help her husband by offering him some advice for his upcoming stint in the country’s premier volleyball league.
“This team is very young, I need to be strong. I must not be soft in teaching them; I want to do that. But first, we need to improve,” Minowa shared.
“Right now, I’m trying to figure out what they need to improve and what we need to do to improve. We’re focused on sharing and hearing what they think about it. I’m not just imposing my coaching; I also want to talk and hear from them.”
Minowa and the Chameleons will have their first taste of PVL action when they face Gerflor on Sunday at 3:00 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
