Trisha Tubu gave Jaja Santiago‑Minowa a first‑hand look at why she has become one of the PVL’s most dangerous scorers.
The two finally met on opposite sides of the net on Thursday, with Santiago‑Minowa returning to the PVL for the Creamline Cool Smashers while Tubu continued to lead the Farm Fresh Foxies’ attack in the 2026 Invitational Conference.
The former Adamson Lady Falcon finished with 19 points, but Creamline eventually pulled away in the fifth set to beat the Foxies, 25‑18, 24‑26, 25‑22, 23‑25, 15‑4, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
For Santiago‑Minowa, it was her first time facing the Dagupan-born spiker in the PVL. The 30‑year‑old middle blocker had already left the league before Tubu made her mark in the collegiate ranks and eventually emerged as one of the league’s premier opposite spikers.
“Actually, I’m very honored din na makalaban si Tubu and nung last na laro ko [sa PVL], wala pa siya nun eh. Nasa college pa siya nun eh,” said Santiago‑Minowa.
Rising Star Impresses the Veteran
The Japanese SV.League’s two‑time Best Middle Blocker was particularly impressed by Tubu’s athleticism and attacking ability.
“Grabe, 19 points din siya. Grabe. Kasi ‘yung talon ni Tubu, how she spikes, parang talagang high‑caliber na player talaga na pag angat ng bola,” she added.
The 25-year-old rising star has won five of the last seven PVL Best Opposite Spiker awards, and she showed plenty of that pedigree against Creamline. She repeatedly found ways to score through the Cool Smashers’ defense, helping Farm Fresh force a deciding set after taking the fourth.
But with the match on the line, Creamline finally found the answer.
Santiago‑Minowa and Jema Galanza combined for five blocks in the fifth set, limiting the Foxies’ leading scorer as the Cool Smashers raced to a 15‑4 finish.
Shutting Down Tubu Was No Easy Task
Santiago‑Minowa said containing the five-time Best Opposite Spiker required Creamline to adjust as the match progressed, with communication becoming especially important during the closing stretch.
“Kailangan lang namin talagang pag‑aralan habang nakakalaro namin siya. And very grateful kay Jema kasi we’re communicating doon sa blocking towards the end,” she said.
“Sobrang ganda talaga ng execution niya sa block with Tubu and ayun, we’re very happy na makalaban siya and marami rin kaming natutunan sa kanya.”
Despite the loss, Tubu’s performance gave Santiago‑Minowa plenty to remember from their first PVL encounter.
