Jaja Santiago‑Minowa may have already established herself as one of the Philippines’ top volleyball players, but the veteran middle blocker remains eager to learn as she begins a short stint with the Creamline Cool Smashers.
Santiago‑Minowa made her return to the PVL on Saturday, helping the Cool Smashers sweep the Galeries Tower Highrisers, 25‑21, 25‑16, 25‑21, at the Victorias City Coliseum.
The 6‑foot‑5 middle blocker joined Creamline for the Invitational Conference after spending the past several seasons in Japan’s SV.League, where she developed into one of the league’s top middle blockers.
Now known as Sachi Minowa in Japan, Santiago won two Best Middle Blocker awards during her stint there and helped Osaka Marvelous capture the 2024‑25 championship.
Transfer of Knowledge and Learnings
With Creamline’s middle blocker rotation featuring Bea de Leon, Nica Celis, Mich Gamit, Pangs Panaga, Erin Pangilinan, and Sheena Toring, Santiago sees her short stay with the Cool Smashers as an opportunity to share what she has learned while continuing to grow herself.
“Actually I’m not a perfect middle, pero if kaya ko mai‑share sa kanila yung experience ko na nakuha international, little by little. I’m sharing even the small things, ganyan. Pag nagtatanong sila, I’m really sharing yung knowledge ko about volleyball,” said Santiago during the PVL On Tour Showdown meet‑and‑greet at the Victorias City Coliseum.
Her first PVL appearance since 2021 ended in victory, with Santiago contributing six points as Creamline completed a perfect 2‑0 On Tour campaign.
Santiago-Minowa Wants to Live the Creamline Culture
But beyond what she can bring to the court, Santiago is also looking forward to experiencing the culture of one of the league’s most successful teams.
“Overwhelming kasi ang daming talented players sa Creamline and marami ding mga bata. I’m excited to learn from the young players and the OGs of Creamline Cool Smashers,” she said.
Santiago will have a short window with Creamline before heading to the United States, where she is set to play for San Francisco Signal in League One Volleyball.
Her return to the PVL serves as both a homecoming and an opportunity to exchange knowledge with a new group of teammates before embarking on her next international chapter.
