JAJA Santiago, now Sachi Minowa, won’t be joining an established contender in the U.S.
Instead, she’ll be helping build one alongside some of the biggest names the sport has to offer.
The former PVL MVP begins the next chapter of her decorated career stateside after expansion club San Francisco Signal included her in the inaugural roster it unveiled for the 2027 League One Volleyball (LOVB) season.
Alongside the Filipina is three-time Olympic medalist and Tokyo 2020 gold medalist Kelsey Cook, one of the most accomplished American outside hitters of her generation; Chinese national team libero MJ Wang, a two-time Olympian and former FIVB World Cup Best Libero; French Olympian Halimatou Bah; and longtime Thailand national team setter Pornpun Guedpard.
The expansion club also tapped U.S. national team standouts Kara Hallock, Serena Gray, and Ella May Powell, along with highly touted middle blocker Carter Booth.
According to San Francisco, the inaugural squad features players from six countries, three Olympians with three Olympic medals, five league MVPs, and 11 NCAA All-Americans - a statement of intent, as the Signal looks to make an immediate splash in the rapidly growing American professional league.
Minowa makes another move
For Minowa, the move marks another bold turn in a career that has constantly evolved.
SPIN.ph reported last month that the former National U standout would be taking her talents to the U.S. after concluding a seven-year run in Japan, where she developed into one of the SV.League’s premier middle blockers.
READ: After Japan, Jaja Santiago takes talent to the United States
She won a league championship with Osaka Marvelous in 2025 before spending last season with Denso Airybees, adding another accomplished campaign to a resume that also included multiple Best Middle Blocker honors in Japan.
The 30-year-old, 6-foot-5 Cavite native embraces another fresh start; not just in a new country, but with a brand-new franchise eager to establish its own identity.
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