JAJA Santiago is taking her act stateside.
After five stints in Japan that saw her rise as one of Asia's emerging premier middle blockers, the former PVL MVP is set to continue her pro career in the United States, according to her husband and former Akari head coach Taka Minowa.
"Yes, [she'll play in the] USA," Minowa confirmed to SPIN.ph on Friday.
READ: Jaja Santiago parts ways with Japan SV.League team Denso Airybees
The move marks a significant career shift for Santiago, who now goes by Sachi Minowa and has spent virtually the last eight years building an impressive body of work in the top flight of Japanese volleyball.
Minowa also disclosed that he will be with Santiago in the United States throughout her forthcoming stint, allowing the couple to remain together as they embark on another overseas chapter.
While her new club has yet to be formally announced, SPIN.ph also learned in recent weeks that Santiago is likely expected to land in League One Volleyball (LOVB), with talks centering on the premier American league rather than rival circuit Major League Volleyball (MLV).
An official announcement, however, is expected in the coming weeks.
"There will be an announcement about her team either this month or next month. Stay tuned!" Minowa said.
The distinction between LOVB and MLV has become one of the biggest storylines in the emerging American pro volleyball scene.
LOVB currently boasts several Olympic medalists, national team standouts and some of the sport's biggest stars anew like Jordan Thompson, Jordan Larson, Justine Wong-Orantes and Lexi Rodrigues, among others, positioning itself as the top professional destination in the country.
MLV, meanwhile, is a newer league that has also begun attracting talent as it seeks to establish a foothold in the market, including former PVL imports Anna DeBeer, Lindsey Vander Weide, Courtney Schwan and Anastasija Bavykina.
In many ways, the setup mirrors the Philippine basketball landscape, with LOVB serving as the equivalent of the PBA as the more established premier competition and MLV resembling the MPBL as a growing alternative league.
Rising sun to stars and stripes
For Santiago, the transfer comes after an accomplished run in Japan that yielded championships and individual success.
The 30-year-old, 6-foot-5 middle blocker won her first title abroad with Ageo Medics in the 2020-21 Japan V.Cup before capturing an even bigger crown with Osaka Marvelous in the 2024-25 SV.League season.
That championship capped her latest Japanese stint and further solidified her status as one of the most successful Filipino volleyball players to compete overseas, concurrent to the period of her acquisition of Japanese citizenship.
From Ageo Medics to JT Marvelous and eventually Osaka Marvelous, Santiago consistently proved she could thrive against some of the world's best players in one of volleyball's strongest domestic leagues.
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