Former NU Lady Bulldog Jaja Santiago, also known as Sachi Minowa, spoke highly about her successors after clinching the championship.
Sachi Minowa (Jaja Santiago) had nothing but good things to say about the current batch of NU Lady Bulldogs who soared to their third UAAP title in the last four seasons.
Minowa was in attendance in Game 2 of the Season 87 Finals at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay on Wednesday.
Having been unable to climb the UAAP mountain herself during her collegiate years, the recently crowned SV.League champion commended the youngsters, especially considering their path to the title.
[READ: NU Lady Bulldogs assert UAAP dynasty with Game 2 sweep of La Salle for back-to-back titles]
Despite heading into the Finals as the 1-seed, the Lady Bulldogs were challenged mightily game in and game out in Season 87, also falling against lower-ranked teams.
They were also thrust into the season with a new system at play, with first-year head coach Sherwin Meneses calling the shots.
“Actually, di ko masabi kung gaano ako kaproud sa kanila. [There are] no words I think, to express how proud I am sa kanila,” Minowa said at the sidelines of Game 2.
“Sabi ko nga, this season is I think parang mahirap din sa kanila kasi nagbago rin sila ng head coach. Though some of their assistant coach remained, pero siyempre iba parin 'yung head coach 'yung magbago, iba 'yung system and si
Alyssa din na-injured din last time. I think hindi ganon ka-smooth 'yung season this year unlike last year but I’m really proud na andito na sila.”
Ever since they started out in UAAP Season 84, Santiago has been looking over the Lady Bulldogs during their journey.
Having been a pivotal part in NU’s rise in women’s volleyball, it was a delight for her to see them succeed, especially with players like Solomon and of course, three-time MVP Bella Belen.
Also an MVP herself, Minowa rained praises on Belen, who made history as the third player in the league to win the MVP thrice in her career.
More than skills, Minowa was left in awe of the way that Belen prided herself in leadership and in being coachable.
“This girl is an epic girl. I mean, Belen is really Belen. Even nung nag-start siya dito sa UAAP, maganda na talaga 'yung pine-perform niya and ngayong last year niya, iba 'yung dala niya talaga na leadership niya,” said Minowa.
“Sobrang nakaka-proud and nakakatuwa na in her young age before, maganda na 'yung performance niya and, napaka-down to earth. Parang she’s [a] very coachable player. Hindi siya imposible na makuha niya 'yung awards na 'yun. So I’m really proud of her,” she added.
Apart from Belen, Solomon was also among Minowa’s mentees, particularly when she decided to take Solomon under her wing during their finals run in UAAP Season 86.
After the match, Solomon said that she was happy to deliver for her senior, and that she dedicated all their titles to the Lady Bulldogs who came before them.
“Siyempre, proud po kasi sila yung inspirasyon namin nung Season 84 palang. Gusto namin sila mabigyan ng championship and yun, nagawa namin po and yung mga championship na yun, dinededicate po namin sa kanila.” said Solomon.