Santiago shows versatility as open spiker in latest Foton win

Foton’s Jaja Santiago (Middle). Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Standing at 6’5”, Jaja Santiago has used height to great use to become one of the best middle blockers not only in the collegiate level but also in the professional circuit.

Santiago, though, went out of her comfort zone in the middle on Thursday and launched herself as a lanky open spiker.

Santiago operating as Foton’s primary offensive attacker was the idea of head coach Vilet Ponce De Leon and it proved fruitful as the Tornadoes stunned Generika in four sets.

Ponce De Leon wants her players to play with versatility and not be confined to what their positions tell them.

“Our team is marami talagang players na can do a lot, not just in their position, offense, defense, set, so we try to maximize kung ano potential nila, we try to get them sa mas matitinding situations,” said De Leon as they improved to 1-1.

Santiago, despite being removed from her usual position, actually produced more than when she played in the middle in their opening day loss to Petron.

Her 16 points, 12 coming off spikes and four from blocks, was an improvement from the 10 she made against the Tri-Activ Spikers.

Santiago admitted she’s still not used to roaming the flanks but she knows anything can be improved through grit and determination.

“Medyo nahihirapan pa kasi pasok ko pa eh pang quick, pero yun nga nakukuha naman sa ensayo and kaya namang mag improve,” said Santiago. “And siyempre masaya ako na lahat ng puwesto napupuwestuhan ko.”