National University’s Jaja Santiago. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Jaja Santiago made it clear that National University will always be her priority should the Shakey’s V-League coincide with the upcoming 2016 Asian Women’s Club Championship.
“Siguro kung may conflict man, tingnan natin kung ano ang mangyayari, pero syempre kailangan ko muna i-prioritize yung National University kasi nasa semifinals na rin kami,” Santiago said.
“Focus muna ako sa kanila at kung magkaroon ng conflict, doon namin gagawan ng paraan at sosolusyunan kung ano ang gagawin.”
Santiago was tabbed as a part of the Foton Pilipinas, which will compete in the continental meet from Sept. 3-11 at Alonte Sports Arena in Binan, Laguna.
The 20-year-old Santiago, however, bared she has yet to bring up the issue to the Foton management.
“Hindi ko pa nabanggit, pero tingin ko alam din nila na may part doon na magko-conflict sa V-League. Siyempre sa NU ako maglalaro kasi alma mater and sila talaga ang priority ko eh.”
The 6-foot-5 middle blocker was instrumental in the Lady Bulldogs’ four-set victory over UP on Monday. Teaming up with Aiko Urdas, Risa Sato, and Jorelle Singh, NU completed a three-game-sweep of the quarterfinals to be the first team to book a seat in the Season 13 Collegiate Conference Final Four.
Santiago, though, said she will try her best to work on a compromise to cater the two sides as she will even join the Tornadoes’ practice Tuesday.
“Bukas may training kami. Kailangan ko ding humabol sa kanila kasi marami na akong na-miss na training,” she said.
Foton Pilipinas is fresh from its training camp in Thailand, where the Tornadoes also competed in the 2016 Sealect Tuna Thailand Volleyball League and settled for sixth place.
Santiago is keeping her fingers crossed that there won’t be any scheduling problems in her games with NU and Foton Pilipinas.
But if there is, she has already decided where to show up to.
“Kung di naman magko-conflict, doon ako maglalaro (sa Foton). Kung may conflict man, dito ako (sa NU),” she said. “Kung kaya naman ng oras, malay natin magawan ng paraan. Baka mag-helicopter ako papunta doon.”