Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 28) — Volleyball superstar Jaja Santiago found a new home in the Japan V. League as she signed with JT Marvelous, the club team announced on Wednesday.
“Hi everyone! First of all, thank you for your constant love and support. As a new member of JT Marvelous, I am sure this season will be an exciting and challenging year,” said Santiago in her message on the team’s website.
“This season, I will do my best to work hard together with my new teammates and show the best performance I can. Please continue to support me and my team! Thank you!” she added.
＼🏐新加入選手のお知らせ🏐／
JTマーヴェラスに、#小川愛里奈 選手、#サンティアゴ・アライジャダフニ 選手の入部が決定しました✨
ご声援、よろしくお願いします‼️詳しくは、こちらからチェック🙌https://t.co/esuqL0185h#JTマーヴェラス#そろそろ地元でバズりたい pic.twitter.com/WIOxZ5Ojig
— JTマーヴェラス (@Marvelous_JT) June 28, 2023
The 6-foot-5 middle blocker announced last May her departure from Saitama Ageo Medics after five years.
Santiago and the Ageo Medics won the title in the Japanese league in 2021, making her the first Filipino volleyball player to win a championship abroad.
She was also named as one of the best middle blockers in the recent season of the Japan V. League.
The 27-year-old former national team player is currently part of the line-up of the Chery Tiggo Crossovers for the Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference. However, Santiago’s return to her Philippine club team remains uncertain.
She last saw action in the Philippines during the PVL Open Conference in 2021, where she bagged the Conference and Finals Most Valuable Player awards after leading the Crossovers to the title.
Santiago did not suit up for the national team in the Southeast Asian Games as she was reportedly acquiring Japanese citizenship.
