Jaja Santiago stars in PVL On Tour finale

Games Saturday (Aug. 22)

Victorias City Coliseum, Negros Occidental

4 p.m. — Capital1 vs. Farm Fresh

6:30 p.m. — Galeries Tower vs. Creamline

VICTORIAS CITY — The Premier Volleyball League will close its six-week On Tour Showdown on Saturday, Aug. 22, with a star-studded doubleheader at the Victorias City Coliseum in Negros Occidental.

The finale will be highlighted by the much-anticipated return of Sachi Minowa, better known to Filipino fans as Jaja Santiago, to the local volleyball scene.

Creamline, the PVL’s winningest and most popular club, will close the provincial swing against Galeries Tower at 6:30 p.m.

The Cool Smashers will look to follow up their victory over the Nxled Chameleons in Isabela with another strong performance before an expected capacity crowd.

While the spotlight will naturally fall on Creamline, the evening’s bigger story may be Minowa’s return.

The former Chery Tiggo star is set to see action for the Cool Smashers as she begins her stint with the club ahead of the coming PVL Invitational Conference.

The stint marks another significant chapter in the career of the towering middle blocker, who led Chery Tiggo to the historic 2021 PVL Open Conference championship.

Minowa later moved to Japan, played there for several seasons and acquired Japanese citizenship in 2024, according to the PVL.

Minowa has already experienced life in Creamline colors after playing in a recent friendly against Choco Mucho in Cagayan de Oro.

Saturday’s match, however, will carry a different feel.

“It’s really good to be back. Na-miss ko talaga ang mga ganito dito sa Pilipinas,” said Minowa, who recalled that her last visit to Negros Occidental was during her high school days.

“So sobrang happy and excited ako to play here again,” she added.

For Minowa, the comeback is about more than returning to the court before Filipino fans.

She is also relishing the opportunity to work alongside Creamline’s established stars while learning from a new generation of players.

“Overwhelming kasi ang daming talented players sa Creamline, and marami ring mga bata,” she said. “I’m really excited to learn from the young players and, of course, from the OGs of Creamline.”

Minowa is scheduled to join the San Francisco Signal of League One Volleyball Pro in the United States after the Invitational Conference.

Her limited stint with Creamline is therefore an intriguing one for both the player and the team.

She joins a formidable Cool Smashers lineup led by Alyssa Valdez, Michelle Gumabao and Jema Galanza.

Lorie Bernardo and newcomer Ishie Lalongisip are also expected to figure prominently.

Standing in Creamline’s way is a young and ambitious Galeries Tower side that has already shown it can punch above its weight.

The Highrisers split their first two On Tour assignments, defeating the Farm Fresh Foxies in four sets before losing to the Chameleons in straight sets.

Against the crowd favorites, the Highrisers face perhaps their biggest test of the tour and an opportunity to measure themselves against one of the league’s perennial standards.

Bacolod native Erika Deloria, Jean Asis, Roselle Baliton and Jade Gentapa are expected to spearhead the Highrisers.

Veterans Aiza Maizo, Camille Victoria and Lycha Ebon will provide experience and composure.

Earlier in the afternoon, Capital1 and Farm Fresh will collide at 4 p.m. in a matchup that promises its own share of intrigue.

The Solar Spikers are seeking to close their limited On Tour campaign on a winning note.

Capital1 libero Roma Doromal said the bigger objective has been to use the traveling tournament to build chemistry and inspire young athletes outside Metro Manila.

“It’s nice kasi ang idea ng PVL On Tour is that we get to inspire aspiring athletes in the provinces,” said Doromal. “For us, malaking opportunity rin ito because everyone gets a chance to play. Nakakatulong iyon para mabuo namin ang chemistry and makita kung nasaan na kami as a team as we prepare for the All-Filipino Conference.”

Doromal said the Solar Spikers have also been encouraged to let each player’s strengths come to the fore.

“Right now, we’re really focused on ourselves – on how each player can show her talents and contribute to the team,” she added.

Farm Fresh will enter the match with considerable confidence after dismantling powerhouse Nxled in straight sets in Lanao del Norte last week.

The Foxies defeated the Chameleons 25-23, 25-13, 25-22, according to the PVL match report.

The Foxies have a potent blend of youth and experience led by reigning league MVP Trisha Tubu.

Ces Molina, Royse Tubino, Riri Meneses, Rizza Cruz, Roselyn Aquino and Ara Galang are also expected to make an impact.

For the PVL, Saturday’s doubleheader represents more than the final two matches on the On Tour calendar.

The six-week initiative has taken the Sports Vision-organized league and its stars beyond traditional volleyball centers.

The tour brought games to Isabela, Batangas, Ilocos Sur, South Cotabato and Lanao del Norte before the finale in Negros Occidental.

The provincial series has served as both competition and outreach — giving teams valuable preparation while allowing young fans and aspiring players to experience top-level volleyball up close.

The league has fittingly saved one of its biggest attractions for the final stop.

With Creamline chasing another win, Galeries Tower eager to make a statement, Capital1 seeking a strong finish and Farm Fresh carrying confidence from its latest victory, the Victorias City finale has all the ingredients for a fitting conclusion to the PVL’s six-week provincial journey.