Entire Santiago family stays neutral as Jaja gets the better of Ate Dindin

THIS is one battle the entire Santiago clan enjoined watching.

Siblings Dindin and Jaja Santiago went up against each other for the first time in their stellar career as their respective teams Philippine Army and PLDT dispute the Shakey’s V-League Season 12 Open Conference title Sunday in a winner-take-all showdown played before a jampacked crowd at The Arena in San Juan.

But instead of being divided, the Santiago family supported both players and was one in toasting Jaja and the Ultera Fast Hitters, who won the title behind a grueling 25-22, 18-25, 24-26, 28-26, 15-13 come-from-behind win.

Although one had to win and the other had to lose, both Dindin and Jaja said the family was actually happy for both of them.

“Actually ‘yung lolo at lola ko pag hindi kami ni Ate Din ang magkalaban nininerbyos sila,” revealed Jaja, who was adjudged as the Finals MVP. “Pero ngayon na kami ni Ate Din ang magkalaban, relax lang sila.”

There was none between them which the family personally rooted for, admitted volleyball’s celebrated sisters.

“Wala eh gitna, kahit sino sa amin manalo,” Dindin and Jaja said when asked by Spin.ph.

“Hindi naman, sa totoo lang excited lang ‘yung mga kamag-anak namin na magkalaban kami ni Jaja,” Dindin said for her part.

“Pag ako ang papalo, magchi-cheer sila, “ibaon mo ‘yan, Ja!” pag si Ate Dindin naman, “i-block mo si Jaja!” Ganoon, salitan lang sila ng chini-cheer,” added Jaja.

Jaja was the one who delivered the winning point for PLDT as they dethroned the Lady Troopers.

And guess who was there and attempted to block her power tip? It was Ate Dindin no less.

“Ako kasi wala, pag sa kanya may celebration pero hindi maangas,” said Jaja as she describes her elder sister everytime Dindin scores against her. “Noong Game One nanalo sila sabi ko lang see you in Game Three.”