Jaja Santiago remains hopeful about joining a European volleyball team but is prepared to return to Japan—potentially for her final season—if no opportunity arises abroad.
Jaja Santiago, also known as Sachi Minowa, is setting her sights on Europe, but the veteran middle blocker knows the road to the continent’s top volleyball leagues won’t be easy.
Coming off a championship-winning season with the Osaka Marvelous in Japan’s V.League, the 6-foot-5 Minowa revealed she is currently on the lookout for new opportunities overseas — preferably in Europe — but also admitted she’s keeping her expectations realistic.
“Actually, wala pa talaga kaming specific na anong meron or ano. Wala pa kaming plans talaga mag-asawa but we're looking forward na makahanap ng team talaga,” Minowa told One Sports at the sidelines of Game 2 of the UAAP Season 87 Finals.
“Hindi ganun kasi kadali sa Europe. Like, sabi ko nga, sa Europe kasi ang talagang priority nila is outside [hitter], opposite [hitter], bago 'yung middle, nasa last talaga kasi malalaki sila. So, hindi ganun ka-taas 'yung expectation ko to go to Europe,” she added.
[ALSO READ: Jaja Santiago eyes European volleyball stint after title run with Osaka in Japan SV.League]
Minowa explained that while she is exploring offers from various countries, Japan remains a strong fallback given her familiarity and existing relationship with her home federation.
The former National University superstar has also been working with the Japanese federation in order to suit up for the national team.
“Kung hindi man ako makakuha ng opportunity doon [Europe], I'll go back in Japan kasi doon pa rin ako may opportunity. There are opportunities in different countries pero siguro sa Japan na muna ako because I'm working with my federation of origin,” Minowa explained.
[ALSO READ: New FIVB rule change could keep Jaja Santiago from playing for Japan's national team, says new AVC president Tats Suzara]
In fact, Minowa revealed that she already has an offer to return to Japan for another year and hinted that if she takes it, it could be her final season there.
“Meron naman po kaya sabi ko if ever na wala talaga akong mahanap sa Europe, I'll go back to Japan. Maybe this is my last also if ever na bumalik ako sa Japan. That's gonna be my last playing year in Japan,” she said.
[ALSO READ: Jaja Santiago fulfills dream with long-awaited Japan SV.League championship]
For now, the search continues for Minowa, who will head to South Korea for the KYK Invitational Tournament 2025, but it’s clear that she won’t run out of options anytime soon.