Jaja Santiago, now Sachi Minowa, keeps the Philippines in her heart as she wins a breakthrough championship in Japan with the Osaka Marvelous.
Jaja Santiago (Sachi Minowa) capped her final season with Osaka Marvelous in storybook fashion, helping the club sweep NEC Red Rockets in the 2025 Japan SV.League Finals to win the championship, 2-0.
The win marks Santiago’s first major title in Japan—a fitting reward after years of steady growth on the international stage.
The 6-foot-5 middle blocker contributed consistently across the Finals series, scoring 12 points in Game 1 and adding 10 in Game 2, as Osaka cruised to straight-sets wins in both outings.
Still emotional after the victory, Santiago emphasized how much this moment meant to her—not just as an athlete, but as a proud representative of her roots.
“I’m really overwhelmed about us getting the championship today. I’m so happy,” Santiago said.
“I’m really proud that I have been able to represent my country, which is the Philippines. And I’m happy also that a lot of Filipino fans are also watching here,” she added.
Having recently acquired Japanese citizenship to further her professional career, taking the name of Sachi Minowa, Santiago emphasized the support she continues receive from Japan and the Philippines.
“Without all of them, I think I can’t make it here,” she added, acknowledging both Filipino and Japanese supporters.
“There’s always a lot of ups and downs but I can see with the eyes of my teammates and how we work hard on the practice, I don't see any doubt for my team.”
With the win, Santiago not only adds a new accolade to her resume but also leaves marks a major chapter of her career as a champion—continuing to inspire Filipino athletes breaking ground on the global stage.
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[Editor's note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital with the help of AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]