Jaja Santiago to remain in Japan after signing with JT Marvelous

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Filipina volleyball superstar Jaja Santiago just inked a fresh new contract with the JT Marvelous club and will play another season in the Japan Volleyball League.

The development was confirmed last June 28, 2023, after Santiago herself announced her latest off-season move.

Santiago will now head for her fifth-straight Japan V. League stint as an Asian import but will have to go through minor adjustments after spending the last four seasons with the Saitama Ageo Medics.

It was with Saitama that Santiago gained recognition as one of the league’s best middle blockers and was their leading defensive stopper for most of the seasons.

Now, Santiago will be in a different territory under JT Marvelous, one of the winningest volleyball clubs in Japan.

JT Marvelous had a tradition of winning since joining the league way back in 2000 and has now clinched three championship titles.

With Santiago now boosting their middle blocking, JT Marvelous is expected to make a run for the crown once again when the Japan V. League kicks off.

“This season, I will do my best to work hard together with my new teammates and show the best performance I can,” said Santiago.

Santiago instantly made waves after arriving in Japan and became the first-ever Filipina to win an overseas title when she Saitama to the 2021 trophy.

After several years of staying in Japan, Santiago announced that she will be undergoing the process of acquiring Japanese citizenship two months ago.