Jaja Santiago signs new contract with Japan’s Ageo Medics

FILE – Jaja Santiago. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–Chery Tiggo has thrown its full support as Jaja Santiago signed up for another contract with Ageo Medics in the Japanese Volleyball League which will begin in October.

The 6-foot-5 middle blocker announced it via the Crossovers’ Facebook page, saying she has agreed for a third tour of duty for her Japanese club that she helped reach the semifinals for the first time.

“I’m very happy because my Chery Tiggo supported me although out my career here and my decision to sign again for Japanese League,” Santiago said.

Santiago was set to banner the Crossovers in the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix last February. But before she could suit up, the PSL season abruptly ended due to coronavirus pandemic.

“It’s my regret that I wasn’t able to join them in Grand Prix,” said Santiago in Filipino. “But I promise next year and hopefully everything returns to normal and Philippine volleyball returns.”

Santiago was pivotal in the Medics’ sterling performance last season. She accumulated 137 attack points during the preliminaries of the J-League. She topped in percentage with 49.1 percent accuracy.

Chery Tiggo, the same franchise of champion team Foton, has kept its formidable stable of players that included Santiago’s sister Dindin Santiago-Manabat, and the hard-hitting sisters Eya and EJ Laure.