Jaja Santiago, Mika Reyes catch eye of Serbian mentor

National University’s Jaja Santiago. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

THE NEW coach of the Philippine Supeliga-Manila, Moro Branislav, sees a lot of potential in the 6-foot-5 Jaja Santiago and 6-foot Mika Reyes.

“It’s important for them to train harder and get more experience,” said Branislav, a close friend of former Gilas Pilipinas coach Rajko Toroman. “They are very interesting players, I see a good future for them.”

Santiago and Reyes will head the local crew of the PSL-Manilasquad that takes on the world’s best in the FIVB Women’s Club Championships on Oct. 18 to 23 at SM Mall of Asia Arena.

“Jaja Santiago came as a big surprise for me,” Branislav said. “A big surprise because she’s a very tall player, correct player and very good player.”

Reyes said training has been tough but she is psyched up doing drills she hasn’t done before.

Branislav said he wants Reyes to be more aggressive and be “a player who will be perfect fit for international tournaments.”