Jaja Santiago‑Minowa may have seen her championship dream with the Creamline Cool Smashers end, but the towering middle blocker still has one more goal before her short stint with the team comes to a close.
Creamline fell to the PLDT High Speed Hitters in a heartbreaking 25‑17, 23‑25, 21‑25, 25‑23, 15‑12 loss on Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, missing out on a return trip to the 2026 PVL Invitational Conference finals.
The Cool Smashers opened the tournament with three straight wins before dropping their final two matches, finishing 3‑2 and missing the championship round.
“We are really aiming doon sa championship. I’m really sad, and I really feel bad na hindi ko nabigay sa kanila yun in a short span na nandito ako sa kanila maglalaro,” said Santiago‑Minowa, who is set to leave for the United States for her upcoming campaign with San Francisco Signal in the LOVB.
Determined to Finish Strong
Despite the setback, Santiago‑Minowa is determined to help Creamline finish on the podium before departing.
“Of course, yun nga, tough loss talaga, and lahat naman siguro binigay yung best, and sadyang kulang lang talaga sa dulo. And siguro, in short, preparation for everything na nakakalaban namin, we are really, I think, kulang,” said the former PVL Conference MVP.
Santiago‑Minowa delivered 25 points against PLDT, finishing with 15 attacks, 9 blocks, and 1 ace.
For the six-day tournament’s final game, the Cool Smashers will face the High Speed Hitters again on Tuesday, this time with the bronze medal at stake.
“Hindi pa naman tapos yung laban. We still have a game on Tuesday, and it’s not finals; it’s not for gold, but we can change it—the mindset na it’s like finals kasi kahit ano mangyari, pag nanalo kami, we will get the medal. It’s still the same. It’s not the gold, but still, a win is a win, so we really need to work hard for Tuesday, and it’s a must‑win,” she said.
Fighting Through Fatigue
With another game left, Santiago‑Minowa acknowledged the fatigue that has set in among the veteran‑laden Cool Smashers but believes the team must find a way to battle through it.
“Lahat naman talaga pagod eh. I think it’s a matter na paano mo ilalaban hanggang dulo,” she said.
“I’m gonna work harder sa Tuesday, no matter what happens, and at least go for a podium finish siguro.”
