Dindin Santiago confident sister Jaja has skills to do well in US NCAA

SHAKEY'S V-League MVP Dindin Santiago said she believes younger sister Jaja has the skills to do well in the US NCAA if she chooses to accept an offer by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) volleyball team.

Although Santiago admitted that she does not have an idea on the competitiveness in Division I of the US NCAA where the Bruins compete, she expressed confidence that her 17-year-old sister's talent and willingness to learn will help her rise to the challenge.

"Alam ko po na kayang-kaya niya, bata pa po siya at sa mga matututunan niya pa po sa training mas gagaling pa po siya," the National University Lady Bulldogs star told Spin.ph.

The Bruins, through assistant coach Joy McKienzie-Fuerbringer, has offered to bring the Jaja to LA on an athletic scholarship and Dindin said she is giving her younger sister full support.

Jaja, an incoming rookie at NU, said she is still weighing the offer.

The 19-year-old Dindin stands 6 feet 2 and has been NU’s main offensive weapon. Jaja, although younger by two years, is two inches taller and while not as explosive in offense right now, is already a tough defender.

Dindin said she was the happiest person after hearing the news from LA.

"Syempre po sobrang saya ko na kinukuha nila si Ja," she said. "Proud na proud po ako sa kapatid ko kasi kinukuha po siya sa ibang bansa, malaking achievement po 'yun."

"Kung ano man po ang gusto niya andito lang po ako susuporta lang po sa kanya hundred percent po, all the way."