Jasmine Nabor recalls how Sachi Minowa became her second mom when she first moved to Manila as a 12-year-old chasing her volleyball dreams.
Chery Tiggo playmaker Jasmine Nabor is known for her calm command on the court—but behind that composed demeanor is a story of quiet resilience and unwavering gratitude, especially to one person who stood by her from the very beginning: volleyball star Sachi Minowa, formerly known as Jaja Santiago.
In a touching social media post that’s gone viral among local volleyball fans, Nabor poured her heart out as she looked back on the early days of her volleyball journey in Manila—13 years ago, when she was just 12 and trying to find her place in an unfamiliar city.
“Naaalala ko noon, ikaw unang sumundo sa akin pagdating ko Manila. 12 years-old palang ako nun. Wala ako ibang kamag anak, wala ako palagi kasama lalo na kapag weekend.
Nabor’s words paint a vivid picture of the bond she formed with Minowa—one that went far beyond the court. With no relatives nearby and few familiar faces in the city, she leaned on Minowa for support. From providing allowance to bringing her home to Cavite on weekends and caring for her when she fell ill, Minowa became more than a teammate—she became a mother figure.
“Grabe 'yung alaga mo sakin lalo na kapag nagkakasakit ako. Ang bilis ng panahon no Maja. Ang laki laki mo na lalo. Andami mo ng achievements sa buhay pero kung gaano ka ka-humble noon, ganun ka [pa rin] hanggang ngayon. I love you so much Ma-Ja!
Now both women are established athletes in their own right, with Minowa earning accolades here and abroad, and Nabor emerging as one of the PVL’s steadiest setters.
But the love and gratitude Nabor expressed shows that no matter how far they've come, the roots of their bond remain strong.
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