Japan league lures Santiago, Espejo away from home

Jaja Santiago. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Towering Jaja Santiago is set to join the Ageo Medics, a club team competing in the Saitama Division 1 of the Japanese V.Premier League that fires off Oct. 28.

A top official of the Asian Volleyball Confederation confirmed that the 6-foot-5 National University alumna will become the first female Philippine player to play in the prestigious Japanese pro league.

Ageo Medics placed seventh last season and is bent on moving up with Santiago, a natural middle blocker who has developed to be a formidable open and opposite hitter.

Foton president Rommel Sytin said they are supporting the decision of the 22-year-old Santiago, who played for the franchise starting 2015, helping the Tornadoes win two titles in the Philippine Superliga.

“I’m more than willing to let her explore,” Sytin said. “It’s greener pasture for her. And that’s our role in the sport of volleyball: Help develop the sport and athletes to reach their potential.”

Joining Santiago in the Japanese league is former Ateneo ace Marck Espejo, who is suiting up for the Oita Miyoshi Weisse Adler club.

Santiago, a UAAP Most Valuable Player awardee like the 21-year-old Espejo, had stints in the national teams which competed in two Southeast Asian Games, two Asian Club Championships and the FIVB World Club Championships.

With heavy credentials and loads of talent, Serbian coach Moro Branislav once declared that Santiago has what it takes to excel internationally.

Santiago, who played for University of Santo Tomas High School, has received offers to play in the United States and Thailand, but has decided to concentrate in local club and collegiate leagues.

She is donning the national colors once more this month when the Philippines sees action in the Indonesia Asian Games.

The V.Premier League is the top level volleyball league for men and women in Japan founded in 1994. The Challenge League is the secondary division.

The competitions are organized by the Japan Volleyball League Organization. In 2006, the name V.League was changed into V.Premier League.

Ageo Medics is based in Ageo city in Saitama and is owned by Ageo Medical Group. It was founded in 2001.