Jaja Santiago with husband and Japanese coach Taka Minowa watching the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball Final Four game between NU and FEU at Araneta Coliseum.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Jaja Santiago is proud to see her husband and Japanese PVL coach Taka Minowa contribute to the continuous growth of Philippine volleyball.
Santiago finally got her well-deserved break after her first season with JT Marvelous in Japan. She has been spending time with her husband, who joined her in supporting her alma mater National University when it earned its third straight trip to the UAAP women’s volleyball Finals on Wednesday.
The Japan V.League resident Asian import, who has been playing in the Division 1 league since 2018, lauded Minowa’s dedication to coaching the Nxled Chameleons and handling the Akari Chargers as a program director this PVL All-Filipino Conference.
READ: How coach Taka Minowa, Jaja Santiago are making long distance work
“I’m proud of my husband. He’s been really doing good. He’s working hard, even though the level of competition is different from Japan and China, where he also went [as an assistant coach to a club]. The competition there is higher compared to us,” said Santiago in Filipino.
The former Philippine women’s volleyball team star knows that her husband wants to help Philippine volleyball reach greater heights as he shares his different coaching style with Filipino players.
“He aims to help the Philippines raise the level of competition. And I’m really proud of him because he’s helping Philippine volleyball reach another level [through his little ways],” said Santiago.
READ: PVL: Taka Minowa looks to learn more about Filipino culture in PH stint
Minowa, who also visits Santiago’s games in Japan during his free time, is happy to spend time and watch volleyball games with her wife.
“My happiest place is here,” wrote the Nxled coach of Santiago on X.
Minowa has been very vocal about the women’s national team’s preparation for the upcoming AVC Challenge Cup from May 22 to 29 in Manila should start as soon as possible.
“I don’t criticize the Philippine volleyball. It’s just a thought on why they haven’t prepared yet for the AVC Challenge Cup. I see a lot of potential in Philippine volleyball and I would love to help change it,” he said on X a few days ago.
Minowa and Santiago have been embracing the long-distance relationship since the Japanese arrived in Manila last year.
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The 6-foot-5 middle blocker’s Japanese citizenship is still in the process but she had a great V.League season after finding her new home at JT Marvelous.
