Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Showing no signs of fatigue, Jaja Santiago made sure she would go home with a win in her busy Wednesday.
And curiously, her trip from Binan, Laguna to Philsports Arena in Pasig even helped her deliver a masterful performance for National University.
“Tinulungan ko rin ang sarili ko na maka-recover sa pagod. Tinaas ko pa nga yung paa ko kanina sa front seat para lang ma-relax ang legs ko at di mag-cramps sa game,” she shared.
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Fresh from her stint with Foton Pilipinas in the Asian Club Championship, the 6-foot-4 middle blocker fired 25 points, 19 from kills and four blocks, to lead NU to a four set win over University of the Philippines, 21-25, 25-10, 27-25, 25-21 that booked the Lady Bulldogs’ return to the Shakey’s V-League Finals.
“Yung byaheng yun ang nakatulong sa akin para maka-recover,” she said.
Santiago said that her NU coaches, led by coach Edjet Mabbayad, placed her in no pressure to rush her trip to Pasig.
“Katulad ng sabi ng mga coach ko habang bumabyahe ako kanina, mag-relax lang at wag i-pressure ang sarili ko. Kung di man ako makaabot, ok lang kasi alam nilang kaya natin ito,” she said. “Sinasabi ko lang sa driver na bilisan kasi inisip ko lang talaga na kailangan ako ng teammates ko dito.”
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Fortunately for Santiago, it was a smooth ride for her as she avoided heavy traffic and even got the help from the Highway Patrol Group, completing the trip in just 25 minutes.
And it was a sacrifice worth taking, with the Lady Bulldogs now awaiting its opponents in the championship series.
“Happy ako kasi nakaabot ako at nasa Finals ulit kami,” she said. “Sinasabihan ko lang yung mga teammates ko na kailangan lang naming maging consistent ay gandahan pa teamwork. Alam ko naman na makukuha rin namin yan.”