JAJA Santiago, now a Japanese citizen going by the name Sachi Minowa, completed a tedious nationality shift in August to kickstart her dream of representing Asia’s second-ranked and world No. 7 side.
Certain FIVB rule changes, however, might just put an end to Minowa’s national team dream before it could even begin.
READ: Turning Jaja-panese: Santiago now known as Sachi Minowa
PNVF and newly-elected Asian Volleyball Confederation president Ramon ’Tats’ Suzara explained how Santiago’s eight-year Philippine team stint will likely jeopardize her bid to suit up for Japan even as a new Japanese passport holder moving forward.
“Jaja is now a Japanese citizen. She is married. But there was a new rule last year by FIVB that if you played in the national team of another country, you can't transfer federations anymore,” Suzara explained in Tuesday’s PSA Forum.
“Even if Jaja has two passports, I'm sure that's a Philippine passport and a Japanese passport, the federation of origin is still the Philippines. When you change federation, one time lang 'yan. Once nag-change ng federation, hindi ka na puwedeng bumalik sa old federation.”
FIVB rule changes in detail
In the May 2024 update of the FIVB sporting regulations, rules on nationality, eligibility and change of federation of origin were explained in depth.
Given that Santiago’s federation of origin is still the Philippines, six conditions as per Article 5.2 of the FIVB sporting regulations must be ‘cumulatively met.’
Suzara’s justifications are supported in writing by Section 5.2.3, which states that a key prerequisite in any change of federation of origin is that ‘the player has not represented the senior national team of the Federation of Origin.’
Article 2.1 of the same regulations also support the PNVF president’s claim:
- "Any person holding the nationality of a country, whether acquired at birth or later (by application or any other means), is eligible to play for the national team of the National Federation of the same country, provided that said National Federation is (her) Federation of Origin and that the conditions set out in these Regulations are fulfilled."
“I told Jaja I supported her sa FIVB because of these new rules. Ang problema, Jaja already played sa national team sa Philippines three or four times already,” said Suzara.
“Kung hindi naglaro si Jaja sa national team, she can change federations. Madali yun. But since she played, by the record ng FIVB, she cannot change federations anymore.”
“With the new rule, she can never play with Japan.”
Appeals led by the PNVF were made to the FIVB to green-light Minowa for the 2024 Paris Olympics as Japan head coach Masayoshi Manabe wanted her to play as a middle blocker, but to no avail.
Jaja to Alas still possible
The aforementioned rule also means Santiago can still represent Alas Pilipinas if she wishes to do so.
A lot has changed for the nationals since 2022 when Santiago last donned the Philippine colors in the international stage.
Although a national team player pool has already been formed, Alas Pilipinas head coach Jorge Souza de Brito previously stated his intent to keep the door open for local standouts to boost his squad.
Whether such will be the case with Santiago, only time will tell.
“She can still play with Philippines. Puwede pa siya because her federation of origin is Philippines. Hindi passport ang binabasehan dito, federation of origin. Jaja is still Filipino by nature who played for the national team. Kung hindi siya nag-national team, puwedeng mag-transfer,” Suzara said.
“She is welcome to play in the Philippine national team. But for her to represent Japan at the moment, no.”
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