LIKE a setter choosing between two elite spikers to dish out to, Alyssa Valdez is torn seeing Jaja Santiago on her way to becoming a Japanese citizen.
Alyssa Valdez on Jaja Santiago acquiring Japanese citizenship
On one hand, Valdez is delighted to see her former University of Santo Tomas juniors teammate and fellow Philippine team member grab a shot at Japanese citizenship to spread her wings further overseas.
“As an athlete, I’m very, very happy for those people who have these opportunities,” Valdez said as the maiden guest on SPIN Exclusives, the first episode airing soon. “One thing we love about being an athlete is to learn all the time, kasi hindi natatapos ang learning sa sport.”
“So it’s nice to go out there and really experience and expose yourself to all these amazing teams. Nao-open lalo yung mga opportunities sa athletes to play abroad, to go back here and share their knowledge,” she added.
Valdez knows what she’s talking about, being one of the first homegrown Filipino athletes to take their acts overseas, playing in Thailand for 3BB Nakornnont in 2016.
As early as 2013, Santiago had her own chance to play US college volleyball at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), an offer she turned down as she kept her sights on leading the National University Lady Bulldogs in the UAAP, winning the league MVP award in 2018.
The 6-foot-4 middle blocker finally grabbed an opportunity abroad in 2018 when she suited up for Japanese club Saitama Ageo Medics, where she continues to play for, alternating it with Premier Volleyball League club Chery Tiggo.
“I’m really happy for Jaja. I think there are a lot of opportunities also na talagang medyo na lumampas for her,” Valdez said. “Now, lahat ng hard work kasi ng mga atleta na feeling ko na nagkakaganito na opportunities, bumabalik eh. It’s paying off. The word is: deserve.”
But on the other hand, Valdez, who teamed up with Santiago on the UST girls’ volleyball team that won a three-peat in the UAAP juniors division, admitted she will miss playing with the 2021 PVL Open MVP and 2021-2022 Japanese V.League Division 1 Best Blocker on the national team.
Especially if Santiago will eventually play for Japan’s own national side.
“Definitely, sasabihin ko, pag dumating yung point na yun, ‘Jaja, dito ka muna sa amin,’” Valdez said with a chuckle. “There’s always that sense of panghihinayang. At the end of the day, it’s always nice to see your kababayan playing alongside you.”
“Pero meron silang mga dreams and goals din in life na hindi din naman natin (pwede hadlangin),” she was quick to add. “And it’s just so nice to play against them in a way for us to gauge also kung nasan din tayo. It’s a healthy competition after all.”
Nevertheless, Valdez is glad to see Santiago, who turned 27 only last January 20, make a huge decision in her career.
“Big step din yun for her,” Valdez said. “I feel like it’s not easy for her also to decide on that matter. I know na napakatagal na diskuyson niyan. napakahirap. But kailangan din, it’s a big step for her.”
“At the end of the day, you always have to respect all the decisions they make, kasi if that’s what they think that’s good for them, we will support them.”
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