JAJA Santiago, now Sachi Minowa, made history by winning the Japan SV.League championship with Osaka Marvelous after seven years as a guest import in the volleyball powerhouse nation.
Now that her time with Osaka has come to an end with a touch of gold, Minowa has her sights set on extending her historic trail overseas.
It might be a stretch for now, but the former PVL MVP looks to become the first player of Philippine descent to ever play in Europe, where most of the sport’s most competitive teams, players and nations are situated.
READ: Jaja leaves Japan league a champion with Osaka Marvelous
“So far, wala pa kaming plan mag-asawa. Naghahanap pa kami ng opportunities namin, either hopefully sa Europe,” Minowa said.
She’s well-aware, however, that the odds aren’t necessarily in her favor.
Even as a multi-awarded middle blocker, players in her position aren’t at the top of European club’s wishlists.
That’s a hurdle she hopes to overcome when she finally gives her Europe bid a proper go.
“Kung hindi man ako palarin sa Europe… kasi ang una talagang pina-prioritize nila, outside, opposite, setter,” said Minowa.
“Last talaga yung middle kasi marami na silang matatangkad.”
Land of a rising dream
Minowa switched teams multiple times over the last seven years in Japan in a bid to find success in at least one of them.
The time has come with Osaka at the expense of perennial Japanese champion NEC Red Rockets in a two-game finals sweep earlier this year.
The best part of that championship win, apart from exacting revenge from last year’s heartbreak where they won all their matches except for the title game, was that it came when their expectations weren’t as high.
“Very overwhelmed and grateful na sa seven years sa Japan, that was my first championship with JT Marvelous,” Minowa said.
“Sobrang happy kasi last year was very sad. Lahat ng games namin, napanalo namin last year tapos ‘yun nga, natalo kami. This time, we don’t have any expectations. Ang dami rin naming talo during the league.
“We’re very happy na until the very end, we did our best and we won the championship.”
If Europe isn’t meant for her, Minowa will go for one last shot in Japan before possibly calling it a career.
“If ever ‘di talaga ako makakuha ng opportunity sa Europe, I’ll go back in Japan and maybe that’s my last playing year,” she said.
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