Dindin Santiago-Manabat.-MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Dindin Santiago-Manabat is rooting for her sister Jaja Santiago to fulfill her ultimate dream to play in the Olympics after acquiring Japanese citizenship.
Manabat revealed that her younger sister, who has a Japanese name Sachi Minowa, already obtained her new citizenship and passport even before the Paris Olympics 2024, expressing that their family is so happy for her in achieving a new life milestone.
“Actually, she already told our family that she got her passport and she was declared as a Japanese citizen even before the [Paris] Olympics,” Manabat told reporters in Filipino after Choco Mucho fell to Creamline, 16-25, 19-25, 29-31, in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference on Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.
READ: Jaja Santiago now a Japanese citizen
Dindin Santiago-Manabat is happy for her sister Jaja Santiago. #PVL2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/LtVOD3gYsz
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) August 17, 2024
“We’re so happy for Jaja because she’s been waiting for it. Though she didn’t make it in the Olympics [this year] to represent Japan. We’re happy that one of her dreams came true.”
Last May, Santiago, who is married to Japanese coach Taka Minowa of Akari, got a call-up to train with the Japanese women’s national volleyball pool, following a stellar V.League season with JT Marvelous
Despite not making it to Paris, Manabat believes that the 6-foot-5 middle blocker can still achieve her dream in the Los Angeles Olympics 2028 — by that time she will be 32 years old.
“She still has a chance after four years. Jaja has been healthy and I know that she can do it,” said the 30-year-old Manabat. “At my age, I can still compete [at a high level], what more for her, she’s way healthier.”
Manabat and Santiago last played together in the 2021 PVL bubble when the sisters steered Chery Tiggo to a maiden pro championship run in Ilocos Norte.
READ: PVL: Playoffs-bound Creamline sweeps Choco Mucho
Santiago, who made her final Philippine women’s volleyball stint in the Southeast Asian Games two years ago, will be playing her second season with JT Marvelous in the rebranded SV.League.
Manabat is on a mission to salvage Choco Mucho’s playoff hopes with a 2-5 record, behind eighth-placer Farm Fresh (3-5).
The Flying Titans hope to claim the last quarterfinal berth, needing to win against PLDT on Thursday, paired with Farm Fresh’s loss against Akari.