JAJA Santiago-Minowa did not have to wait long to rediscover what she missed most about playing volleyball in the Philippines.
It came in Cagayan de Oro, where the former PVL MVP made her first appearance in a Creamline jersey during the Rebisco Sisterhood Showdown.
READ: Creamline beats Choco Mucho in five-set exhibition with scoring twist
"I'm very excited and happy to play again in front of the Filipino fans. Actually, that's what I missed here playing in the Philippines — the volleyball enthusiasts, our volleyball fans, so I'm very excited and very happy to play in front of them," she said in a press conference for the exhibition series' second leg in Passi, Iloilo on September.
Santiago-Minowa saw limited minutes early in the Cool Smashers' winning display, but her brief stint was enough to put her attacking and blocking ability on show for when the six-team Invitational Conference begins August 31.
'Overwhelming opportunity' for Jaja
For the superstar middle blocker, it was a reminder of why coming home carries a different weight after spending the last half-decade adding championships and international experience to her resumé.
Now, she is bringing all that back to the league where she first established herself as one of the Philippines' brightest stars.
"It's very overwhelming for the opportunity to play for Creamline Cool Smashers. I'm very excited also to play with talented players like ate Ly, Jia and a lot of players, and also the young players," Santiago-Minowa said, referring, of course, to team captain Alyssa Valdez and setter Jia de Guzman.
The opportunity is particularly unique because Santiago-Minowa is not simply returning to the PVL. She is joining the sport's most successful local team for a shot to win her second league title.
And another wrinkle to the story? Her first championship came at the expense of this very Creamline franchise.
"I'm looking forward na makapag-contribute sa team with my international experience and hopefully, I can consistently communicate with the team, with the players. Sa skills naman, I think the offense and the defense on the top of the net," she added.
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