OFTEN the tallest player on the court, the 6-foot-4 Jaja Santiago has always enjoyed the view from the top.
And after watching National University’s Alyssa Solomon make it rain in Game One of the UAAP Season 86 Finals against University of Santo Tomas, Jaja wants the 6-foot-1 Lady Bulldog to, like her, stand head and shoulders above the opposition.
READ NU Lady Bulldogs dominate Game One as UST loses Poyos to injury
She's getting there, says Santiago.
“Because we have the same [stance], we are both the tallest sa game, ang lagi kong sinasabi sa kanya paluin niya sa highest point na kaya niya ang bola ‘pag tumatalon siya. ‘Pag pinalo niya yun dun, wala na makakaharang sa kanya,” Jaja told SPIN.ph.
And that’s exactly what Solomon did. The Lady Bulldog’s opposite hitter made 17 points, from 14 attacks, and three blocks to lead NU in a sweep of the UST Tigresses and a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three finals.
Jaja, of course, took notice.
“Sabi namin ng asawa ko kanina, napakaganda ng nilaro nila. Everyone did good, contributed good, but Alyssa, Alyssa did great,” Jaja continued.
Flattered but keeping herself grounded, Solomon says Santiago’s pieces of advice came right when she needed them.
READ Jaja gets technical in advice to current NU stars Belen, Solomon
“Gusto ko mag-thank you sa kanya, last game nag-advise siya sa'kin, naging happy ako sa tip niya, I’ve become better. ‘I love you, ate Ja!’,” Solomon says.
A sponge for growth and learning, and an eager workhorse on the court, Solomon’s holistic performance is a commendable one for a younger player, says Jaja.
“Even though we play different positions, though I played opposite din, I think Alyssa has a bigger potential than me,” says Santiago.
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