Jaja Santiago

Jaja Santiago
Santiago playing for Ageo Medics in 2020
Personal information
Full nameSachi Minowa
NicknameJaja
NationalityJapanese
BornAlyja Daphne Antonio Santiago
(1996-01-20) January 20, 1996
Cavite City, Philippines
HometownTanza, Cavite
Height1.95 m (6 ft 5 in)
Weight74 kg (163 lb)
Spike320 cm (126 in)
Block305 cm (120 in)
College / UniversityNational University
Volleyball information
PositionMiddle blocker
Current clubCreamline Cool Smashers
Career
YearsTeams
2014–2015PLDT Home Ultera
2015–2018Foton Tornadoes
2018–2019Saitama Ageo Medics
2019Foton Tornadoes
2019–2021Saitama Ageo Medics
2021Chery Tiggo
2022–2023Saitama Ageo Medics
2023–2025Osaka Marvelous
2025–2026Denso Airybees
2026–Creamline Cool Smashers
National team
2014–2022Philippines

Sachi Minowa (蓑輪 幸, Minowa Sachi[1][2]; born Alyja Daphne Antonio Santiago on January 20, 1996[3]), commonly known as Jaja Santiago[a], is a Philippines-born Japanese volleyball player who is signed to LOVB Pro in the United States. She is assigned to the San Francisco Signal in the American league.

Ahead of her LOVB Pro stint starting 2027, Santiago is set to play for the Creamline Cool Smashers in the 2026 Invitational Conference of the Premier Volleyball League.

Early life and education

Jaja Santiago was born on January 20, 1996 in Cavite City, Philippines but grew up in the town of Tanza, Cavite.[5][6] Santiago was born to sportspeople–Her father Jojo Santiago was a former basketball player while her mother Alma Antonio was former volleyball player. Her parents separated after her birth, with Jaja and her four other siblings[7]

The siblings were raised by their maternal grandparents, Victorio Jr. and Luz Antonio. Jaja Santiago studied at the Amaya Elementary School.[7]

She took up volleyball when she was 13-years old, while she was tagging along with her older sister Dindin of the UST Growling Tigresses. The younger Santiago is being encouraged to join the basketball team of the Amaya School of Home Industry, a vocational high school. UST coach, Vince Mangulabnan encouraged the younger Santiago to be a volleyball player.[7]

Santiago received an offer to study at the University of California, Los Angeles. She eventually attended the National University in Manila.[7] She obtained a bachelor's degree in psychology in 2020 at NU, two years after her stint in the UAAP.[8]

Career

College

Santiago, then an incoming freshman student entering the National University (NU) in Manila, received an offer to try out for the University of California-Los Angeles' women's volleyball team in 2013. She declined as she was hesitant to be away from her family back in the Philippines.[9] She went on to play for the NU Lady Bulldogs volleyball team in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).

Santiago led the Bulldogs to win back-to-back championships in the Shakey's V-League 13th Season Collegiate Conference without her sister Dindin to support her, despite that, she was crowned as the Conference Most Valuable Player award and the Best Middle Blocker. She was also crowned as the Most Valuable Player in the 2016 Philippine Super Liga Grand Prix in a back-to-back win with the Foton Tornadoes.

She started her rookie collegiate volleyball career with the UST Golden Tigresses, with her sister Dindin before transferring to National University to follow her sister. After being transferred from UST to the NU Lady Bulldogs, Santiago, now in her 4th year, served as the team captain. She was undecided if she was going to use her fifth and final year, after being eliminated by the UST Golden Tigresses in the UAAP Season 79 Women's Volleyball.[10]

She holds the record of the youngest player to ever play in Shakey's V-League. She joined NU as Guest Player in Season 7 Conference 2 at the age of 14.[11] She also holds the record of the tallest player so far in the Shakey's V-League as she stands 6'5".[12]

Club

Foton Tornadoes (2015–2018)

Her first professional team, the Foton Tornadoes, debuted in the 2015 Grand Prix Conference of the Philippine Super Liga (PSL) and played for 3 conferences (2015 Philippine Super Liga Grand Prix, 2016 Philippine Super Liga All-Filipino and 2016 Philippine Super Liga Grand Prix).[13]

In 2017, Santiago won the Premier Volleyball League 1st Season Collegiate Conference championship with the NU Lady Bulldogs and was named the conference MVP.[14][15] Also winning the bronze medal in the PSL Grand Prix Conference with the Foton Tornadoes along with the 1st Best Opposite Spiker award.[16][17]

PSL All Stars

Santiago was part of the PSL All Stars selection team formed to represent the hosts of the 2016 FIVB Club World Championship which was held in Manila.[18]

Ageo Medics (2018–2019)

Santiago joined Ageo Medics of Japan's V.League in 2018 for the 2018–19 season.[19][20][21]

Foton Tornadoes (2019)

Santiago returned the Philippines to feature for the Foton Tornadoes in the 2019 PSL All-Filipino Conference.[22] Following the conclusion of the tournament, she returned to Japan to play for Ageo Medics again.

Ageo Medics (2019–2021)

Santiago helped Ageo Medics clinch a bronze medal finish in the 2019–20 Division 1.[23]

Santiago renewed her contract with Ageo Medics in August 2020[24] She went on to help Ageo Medics win the Division 1 V.Cup title, which was the first for Santiago with a foreign club.[23] after she was unable to rejoin Foton, which renamed themselves as Chery Tigo, for the 2020 PSL Grand Prix which was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[25][24]

Shortly after, Santiago bared that Ageo Medics has convinced her to change her citizenship to Japanese through naturalization which would enable the club to field her as a local. However, Santiago was non-committal and maintained that she still has pride in being a Filipino citizen.[26]

Chery Tiggo

Her contract with Ageo Medics expired after her 2021 V.Cup stint.[27] Santiago returned to the Philippines to play for the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro Crossovers, which has transferred from the PSL to the newly fully-professionalized Premier Volleyball League (PVL).[28] She rejected offer to play for a club in Taiwan so she could play for Chery in the PVL.[29]

Ageo Medics (2022–2023)

Santiago returned once again to Japan to suit up for Ageo Medics for the 2022–23 V.League season.[30] However, in May 2023, she announced that she had not re-signed with the team ending her roughly five year series of stints with Ageo Medics.[31]

Osaka Marvelous (2023–2025)

Santiago remains in Japan as she signs to play for JT Marvelous for the 2023–24 season.[32] Starting the 2024–25 season, Santiago started playing for the team as Sachi Minowa reflecting her new citizenship. The team which joined the SV.League also renamed itself as Osaka Marvelous.[33][34] Osaka won the 2024–25 season.[35]

Denso Airybees (2025–2026)

After her long stint with JT Marvelous, Santiago signed with Denso Airybees. She played for the club in the 2025–26 season.[36][37][38]

Creamline Cool Smashers and upcoming San Francisco Signal stint (2026–)

Santiago announced that she was set to move to the United States after playing for the Airybees.[39] On June 19, 2026, LOVB Pro announced that they have signed Santiago. Under the league structure, Santiago was assigned to one of LOV Pro's clubs.[40] The San Francisco Signal included Santiago to their roster for their inaugural 2027 season.[41]

Meanwhile, Santiago is set to play first in the Philippines with the Creamline Cool Smashers at the 2026 PVL Invitational Conference before suiting up for Signal.[42] Despite becoming a Japanese citizen, Santiago remains eligible to play as a local rather than an import in the PVL.[43]

National team

Santiago was also a member of the Philippine national team that played in Singapore during the 2015 Southeast Asian Games, as well as in Kuala Lumpur during the 2017 Southeast Asian Games.[44] She last played for the national team in 2022 at the 2021 Southeast Asian Games, which was held in Vietnam.[45]

While playing in Japan, Santiago was called up by the Japan Volleyball Association on March 8, 2024 to join the Japanese national team's training camp, although she was not yet a naturalized Japanese citizen at the time.[46]

In April 2024, Santiago trained with the 26-member Japan women’s national volleyball training pool with Melissa Valdez of the PFU BlueCats until April 30 for the Volleyball Nations League and the 2024 Paris Olympics.[47]

Despite obtaining Japanese citizenship by August 2024,[48][49] Santiago remains ineligible to play for the Japanese national team due to a newly imposed regulation by the FIVB in May 2024; since she has played for the Philippine national team already her "federation of origin" remains to be Philippines. The Philippine National Volleyball Federation reportedly appealed to the FIVB to allow Santiago to play for Japan at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Santiago remains eligible to play for the Philippine national team on the basis of her federation of origin despite her Japanese citizenship and passport.[50]

Personal life

Santiago comes from a family of sportspeople. Her father Jojo was a basketballer who played for the University of Manila Hawks and the San Juan Knights in the now defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association. Her older sister Dindin Santiago-Manabat also grew up to be a professional volleyball player. Her older brother Axel has coached the National University (NU) Bulldogs volleyball teams.[51] Her younger brother Lenard played basketball for the Letran Squires junior team.[52] Her father died in 2014.[53] Their mother worked as an overseas Filipino worker in Israel.[51]

Santiago is married to Japanese coach Taka Minowa of Ageo Medics since August 2022.[54][55] She previously had Chery teammate Maika Ortiz as her girlfriend.[56] Santiago announced that they had ended their relationship in July 2022.[57]

In January 2023, reportedly also began the process of acquiring Japanese citizenship for herself.[45] However, she clarified that nothing is certain and is considering opportunities outside of Japan.[58] She has received an offer from her club Ageo Medics to help her acquire Japanese citizenship as early as April 2021, which would make her eligible to play for the Japanese national team.[59][60]

On August 17, 2024, Santiago announced on her Instagram account that she had finally obtained her Japanese citizenship under the name Sachi Minowa.[48][49]

Clubs

Awards

Individuals

Clubs

Special recognition

Notes

  1. ↑ Also known as Jaja Santiago-Minowa[4]

References

  1. ↑ "蓑輪 幸選手" (in Japanese). Osaka Marvelous. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
  2. ↑ "【バレー】大阪MV（現JT）のサンティアゴ・アライジャダフニ（蓑輪幸・みのわさち）が日本国籍を取得。SNSで周囲に感謝を伝える。昨季個人賞3冠＋ベスト6のミドルブロッカー（バレーボールマガジン）【バレー】大阪MV（現JT）のサンティアゴ・アライジャダフニ（蓑輪幸・みのわさち）が日本国籍を取得。SNSで周囲に感謝を伝える。昨季個人賞3冠＋ベスト6のミドルブロッカー". Yahoo! Japan (in Japanese). Volleyball Magazine. August 17, 2024. Archived from the original on August 17, 2024. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
  3. ↑ "UAAP 77 Athlete of the Day: Jaja Santiago". ABS-CBN Sports. ABS-CBN Corporation. December 29, 2014. Archived from the original on August 20, 2016. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
  4. ↑ "Santiago-Minowa brings talent to U.S., joins Signal". Daily Tribune. July 17, 2026. Retrieved August 7, 2026.
  5. ↑ "Jaja Santiago: Standing tall for my country – FIVB". FIVB. November 25, 2020. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
  6. ↑ "Primed for international play: Santiago's breakthrough vs. the world's best". ESPN.com. August 30, 2018. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Lozada, Mei-Lin (March 7, 2014). "Jaja Santiago finally breaks into world stage, three years after shunning UCLA offer". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved August 7, 2026.
  8. ↑ Agcaoli, Lance (March 14, 2020). "Perseverance pays off as Jaja Santiago earns bachelor's degree". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  9. ↑ Lozada, Mei-Lin (January 3, 2018). "What if Jaja Santiago accepted UCLA offer back in 2013? Top coaches weigh in". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  10. ↑ Lozada, Mei-Lin (April 10, 2017). "Frustrated Jaja Santiago uncertain on playing final season with NU Lady Bulldogs". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
  11. ↑ Noguera, Al Kendrick (August 5, 2014). "GIVE ME FIVE featuring Jaja Santiago of NU Lady Bulldogs". GMA Network. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
  12. ↑ Bracher, Jane. "Jaja Santiago confident in leadership role with NU Lady Bulldogs". Rappler. No. February 8, 2016. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
  13. ↑ Escarlote, Mark. "Volleyball: Foton claims repeat Grand Prix title". ABS-CBN News. No. December 10, 2016. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
  14. ↑ Escarlote, Mark (October 14, 2017). "SWEEP VICTORY: NU claims PVL Collegiate Conference title". ABS-CBN Sports. Archived from the original on October 17, 2017. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
  15. ↑ Escarlote, Mark (October 14, 2017). "Santiago named PVL Collegiate Conference MVP". ABS-CBN Sports. Archived from the original on October 15, 2017. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
  16. ↑ Giongco, Mark (December 12, 2017). "Foton grabs bronze medal in PSL Grand Prix". The Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
  17. ↑ Lozada, Bong (December 16, 2017). "Double celebration for F2 import Perez with MVP award and PSL title". The Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
  18. ↑ "PSL's 'Magnificent 7' represents the future of PH volleyball". Tiebreaker Times. August 2, 2016. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
  19. ↑ "Santiago sisters to see action in Japan V.Premier League". Fox Sports Asia. Archived from the original (20 September 2018) on September 21, 2018. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
  20. ↑ "Jaja Santiago is top spiker in Japanese V-League Star Conference". Fox Sports Asia. January 6, 2020. Archived from the original on February 15, 2020. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
  21. ↑ "Jaja Santiago powers Japanese squad to semis stint". Philippine Daily Inquirer. January 20, 2020. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
  22. ↑ Bautista, Ohmer (August 13, 2019). "Santiago sisters give Eya Laure triumphant Foton debut, pound short-handed Marinerang Pilipina". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
  23. 1 2 Valencia, Justin (March 28, 2021). "Jaja Santiago strikes gold as Ageo Medics rule V.League V Cup". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
  24. 1 2 "Jaja Santiago signs new contract with Japan's Ageo Medics". Philippine Daily Inquirer. August 22, 2020. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
  25. ↑ "PSL Grand Prix: Examining Chery Tiggo and Generika-Ayala". ESPN.com. February 26, 2020. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
  26. ↑ Li, Matthew (April 4, 2021). "Jaja Santiago bares Ageo wants her to turn local, but: 'May pride pa rin naman ako'" [Jaja Santiago bares Ageo wants her to turn local, but: 'I still have (Filipino) pride']. Tiebreaker Times (in English and Tagalog). Retrieved April 4, 2021.
  27. ↑ Lozada, Bong (April 4, 2021). "She could already be the country's best player, but Jaja Santiago doesn't care about individual accolades". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
  28. ↑ Li, Matthew (April 2, 2021). "Jaja Santiago eager to bring V.League experience to Chery in PVL". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
  29. ↑ Co, Chris (April 4, 2021). "Jaja Santiago inayawan ang offer sa Taiwan". The Philippine Star (in Tagalog). Retrieved April 4, 2021.
  30. ↑ "V.League: Jaja, Saitama make quick work of NEC". ABS-CBN News. October 29, 2022. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  31. ↑ Valencia, Justin (May 13, 2023). "Jaja Santiago parts ways with Saitama after five years". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  32. ↑ Valencia, Justin (June 28, 2023). "Jaja Santiago signs with JT Marvelous". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  33. ↑ "序盤の首位攻防戦、デンソーエアリービーズと大阪マーヴェラスの無敗同士が激突。SVリーグ 女子第4節". JSports.co.jp (in Japanese). November 1, 2024. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
  34. ↑ Valencia, Justin (January 13, 2025). "Jaja Santiago, Osaka exact revenge on NEC to retake top spot in SV.League". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  35. ↑ Dannug, Jonash (May 3, 2025). "Sachi Minowa ends Osaka stint with SV.League title". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
  36. ↑ "Jaja Santiago stays in Japan to join Jia's former team Denso". Spin.ph. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  37. ↑ Dannug, Jonash (April 4, 2026). "Jaja Santiago, Alyssa Solomon part ways with SV.League clubs, enter free agency". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved April 5, 2026.
  38. ↑ Garcia, John Mark (April 4, 2026). "Jaja Santiago parts ways with Japan SV.League team Denso Airybees". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
  39. ↑ Garcia, John Mark (June 19, 2026). "After Japan, Jaja Santiago takes talent to the United States". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
  40. ↑ Valencia, Justin (June 25, 2026). "Jaja Santiago begins bew chapter in U.S., signs with LOVB". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  41. ↑ Garcia, John Mark (July 17, 2026). "Jaja joins expansion team San Francisco Signal in US league". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  42. ↑ Garcia, John Mark (August 7, 2026). "Jaja Santiago officially beefs up Creamline for PVL Invitational". Sports Interactive Network Philippines.
  43. ↑ Agcaoili, Lance (August 14, 2026). "PVL: Jaja Santiago cleared as local for Creamline stint". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  44. ↑ Reyes, Mark Anthony (August 27, 2017). "Philippines falls to Vietnam in bronze medal match". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
  45. 1 2 "Jaja Santiago out of national team with Japanese citizenship in sight". Manila Bulletin. January 29, 2023. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  46. ↑ "Jaja Santiago tapped for Japan national team training camp". GMA News. March 8, 2024. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
  47. ↑ Agcaoili, Lance (April 6, 2024). "Jaja Santiago training with Japan national team pool". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  48. 1 2 Li, Matthew (August 17, 2024). "Jaja Santiago completes naturalization, takes Sachi Minowa as Japanese name". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
  49. 1 2 Matel, Philip (August 17, 2024). "Jaja Santiago obtains Japanese citizenship, now eligible for national volleyball team". Rappler. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
  50. ↑ Garcia, John Mark (September 10, 2024). "Suzara says new FIVB rule will keep Jaja from playing for Japan". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  51. 1 2 Olivares, Rick (November 17, 2013). "Dindin and Jaja Santiago's twin dreams". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved October 2, 2016.
  52. ↑ Leongson, Randolph (July 11, 2019). "Dindin and Jaja's little brother Lenard is a two-sport athlete at Letran". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  53. ↑ "Volleyball: Jaja Santiago recalls emotional moment with late dad". ABS-CBN News. April 13, 2020. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  54. ↑ "It's a yes! Jaja Santiago engaged to Japanese coach". ABS-CBN News. August 27, 2022. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  55. ↑ "Is Jaja Santiago already married to Japanese coach fiance?". ABS-CBN News. November 25, 2022. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  56. ↑ "Jaja Santiago lauds girlfriend Maika Ortiz's comeback". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. August 17, 2021. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  57. ↑ "Jaja, Maika naghiwalay". Abante (in Filipino). July 31, 2022. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  58. ↑ Micaller, Bea (January 30, 2023). "Amid reports of Japanese citizenship, volleyball star Jaja Santiago says nothing certain yet". GMA News Online. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  59. ↑ Antonio, Kyle John (April 4, 2021). "PH volleyball star Jaja Santiago receives offer to change nationality". CNN Philippines. Archived from the original on January 30, 2023. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  60. ↑ Giongco, Mark (April 6, 2021). "Jaja Santiago offered to change nationality to Japanese". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
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