Five years after her last game on Philippine soil, Jaja Santiago-Minowa finally heard the cheers of a home crowd again.
The 6‑foot‑5 middle blocker made her return memorable, helping the Creamline Cool Smashers sweep the Galeries Tower Highrisers, 25‑21, 25‑16, 25‑21, before staying behind to greet fans who lined up for photos, autographs, and a chance to welcome her back at the Victorias City Coliseum on Saturday.
A Return to Home Soil for Santiago-Minowa
For Santiago-Minowa, the warm reception was a reminder of how much she had missed playing in front of Filipino supporters.
Her last game in the country came in 2021, when she led the Chery Tiggo Crossovers to the PVL’s first professional championship inside the Bacarra bubble in Ilocos Norte. COVID‑19 restrictions at the time meant the tournament lacked the atmosphere she experienced in Victorias City.
Now back in front of a packed crowd, Santiago immediately felt the difference.
“Sobrang nakaka‑proud na ang daming nanonood sa atin ngayon. Despite na anong oras na rin, nandito sila, todo suporta, and yung effort talaga is there. Sobrang grateful namin na—alam mo yun, yung volleyball dito sa atin sa Philippines is really growing,” said Santiago-Minowa, who also goes by her Japanese name, Sachi Minowa.
The crowd’s energy became an unexpected source of motivation for the veteran middle blocker.
“Sa loob kasi ng court, kung maririnig ko yung gantong cheer, madadala ka eh. Sila yung parang nagbibigay din sa’yo ng power, ng lakas talaga sa loob ng court. And lagi ko nga sinasabi, itong crowd na ito, itong mga fans na ito, sila rin yung dahilan kung bakit kami nandito,” she added.
Santiago-Minowa’s return comes after seven seasons in Japan, where she established herself as one of the league’s top middle blockers and collected two Best Middle Blocker awards.
A New Chapter Yet to Unfold
Santiago-Minowa is now preparing for another chapter, with a stint in the United States’ League One Volleyball on the horizon. Before that, however, she will suit up for Creamline in the 2026 PVL Invitational Conference.
The Cool Smashers are set to face defending champion PLDT, Farm Fresh, Nxled, Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City, and Thailand’s EST Cola in the week‑long tournament beginning August 31 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
While her one‑game appearance in the On Tour gave her a taste of playing at home again, Santiago-Minowa knows the Invitational will present a much tougher challenge.
“Siyempre, iba pa rin sa Invitational kasi may makakalaban din kami na Vietnam, Thailand. Magandang preparation itong On Tour sa amin sa team kasi we still have a lot of adjustments na kailangang ayusin sa team. And we’re not perfect,” she said.
A Test to Ace First
Creamline’s victory over Galeries Tower gave Santiago-Minowa a winning start to her return, but the veteran knows there is still work to do before the real test begins.
“Sa Invitational, we’re gonna do our very best. Yan lang, magiging tight yung schedule and hoping na maganda yung recovery ng bawat isa every day, every game.”
