Jaja Santiago set to return to Japan to rejoin Ageo Medics

Jaja Santiago celebrates after leading Chery Tiggo to the crown, and taking home individual hardware too. —PVL MEDIA BUREAU

MANILA, Philippines—Chery Tiggo star Jaja Santiago will miss the second conference of the Premier Volleyball League as she reunites with her Japanese club next month.

In an interview with the Post-Game podcast, Santiago said she will be returning to Japan at the start of September to rejoin Saitama in the Japanese V. League.

She said that Ramon “Tats” Suzara, the president of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation, allowed her to fly back to Japan to return to the Ageo Medics ahead of their 2021-22 season which will begin in October.

“Maybe September 1 I’ll go back to Japan,” said Santiago in Filipino. “As early as I fix my papers then I can go back.”

Santiago was instrumental in the Crossovers’ title run in the PVL Open Conference where they defeated Creamline for the title.

Apart from the championship, Santiago also bagged both the conference and Finals MVPs as well as one of the Best Middle Blocker awards.

Her goal now is to help the Ageo Medics claim the V.League title—a feat Santiago has yet to achieve.

“I’m determined to win the championship in the V.League because this would be my fourth year to play in Ageo,” said the 6-foot-5 middle blocker. “I want to give that championship to them. I want to be part of it.”

Santiago’s biggest achievement with Saitama is winning the V.League Division 1 V Cup in March after defeating the NEC Red Rockets, 26-24, 20-25, 25-21, 25-17, in the final where she had 11 points.