JILLIAN Santos has arrived in Taft to bring the De La Salle Lady Spikers back on top.
The 5-foot-10 Fil-American opposite hitter capped three fruitful playing years with the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) as team captain in her senior season and summa cum laude with a degree in psychology.
READ: BVS open to play beach volley for Alas - if indoor plan fails
Santos, 22, first emerged in the Filipino public eye in this viral photo where she was spotted in workouts at Ateneo legend Alyssa Valdez.
Once a budding star at National University-Nazareth School, home of the likes of Bella Belen, Faith Nisperos and Thea Gagate among many others, Santos had brief stints with University of Santo Tomas and Ateneo before moving to the US.
WATCH:
The irony of it all is how Santos now finds herself donning the colors of Ateneo's arch-rival La Salle, where she will play as a master's student-athlete, ahead of a long-awaited chapter in her volleyball career back home in the Philippines.
Once the opportunity to become a Lady Spiker came knocking on her door, this among many other offers on the table, Santos said it was a chance too good to turn down.
"After learning that I had two more years of UAAP eligibility left, La Salle reached out to me. They not only offered me a chance to play but also pursue my master’s in clinical psychology," Santos said. "Alongside that, it’s always great to be home."
"Coach Ramil (de Jesus) is a great mentor. You can see day in and day out that he truly cares about the personal excellence of each one of his players. I’m grateful to be a part of his system this season."
To be part of a champion team is one thing, but above all else, Santos' decision to play for La Salle is personal and one she made with her Filipino family in mind.
"First and foremost, my family is all here. They mean a lot to me, so I wanted to come home," she said.
"La Salle was the primary one that really expressed interest. They got to know me on a personal level, even my dad (Jeffrey) and other family members. They built that connection, which impacted my decision. Plus, my mom (Gieneen) graduated from La Salle, so that also played a role."
Jill's Fil-American state of mind
Santos reached heights she would've never thought possible in her three-year US NCAA stint with UIC.
Armed with experience at the highest level of US college volleyball, expect a sharp and lethal rising star to take flight for the Lady Spikers come UAAP Season 87.
"It was incredible playing in another country, experiencing a new level of play, and pushing myself. I made lifelong friends, learned a lot about independence, and even became captain of UIC in my last season. That was something I never expected, but I welcomed the challenge with open arms.
"It forced me to step out of my comfort zone and understand myself better — not just as a player but as a person. Now, I’m back to square one with La Salle, but I’m ready to learn again and adapt to the Philippine style of play."
Taking each step with caution, Santos knows she'll be up for more than a few challenges in terms of adjusting to the nuances of Philippine volleyball that differ from how the game is played in the U.S.
"I would describe U.S. volleyball as ‘big man volleyball.’ It’s all about length and physicality," Santos said.
"Here in the Philippines, players are so smart in crafting plays and adapting to situations. It’s a more scrappy, strategic game, and that’s something I really appreciate after coming from the States."
One thing she won't be running short of anytime soon is the confidence to deliver instant impact to one of Philippine volleyball's premier programs.
"I’m always going to give a hundred percent, on and off the court. Our team is working hard. We’re excited for the competition, and yes, we’re gunning for that championship. We’re confident."
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
