Philippines will be losing one of its premier volleybelles as Jaja Santiago has decided to acquire a Japanese citizenship after playing overseas for more than four years.
One of the country's brightest volleyball stars is working on her Japanese citizenship after signing up with Saitama Aego Medics since 2018 and building a career there for the past four years.
The 6-foot-5 Jaja Santiago would not be available for the 32nd Southeast Asian Games this May in Cambodia because of this development, said Souza de Brito, the Manila Times reported.
The status of Santiago’s commitment was revealed by Philippine women’s national team head tactician Jorge Souza de Brito during the PVL All-Filipino press briefing on Saturday, Jan. 28.
In one of FIVB’s rulings of change of Federation of Origin, a player may do so if one has “established residence in the country of her new Federation of Origin for a minimum of two continuous years, the player has obtained the nationality of the country of the new Federation, and the player’s old and new Federation agrees to the change.”
The star middle blocker, who suits up for the Saitama Aego Medics in V.League got engaged to Japanese coach Taka Minowa.
The 27-year-old veteran spiker has been looking ready to establish her personal life and career in Japan after signing with the team in 2018.
Santiago last played in the Philippines during the 31st SEA Games in 2022 where the country missed out on the podium at fourth place.
The 6-foot-4 blocker also had her last game with the Chery Tiggo Crossovers in 2021 after steering them to the championship in the PVL Open Conference.
The 27-year-old veteran spiker has been looking ready to establish her personal life and career in Japan after signing with the team in 2018.
Santiago last played in the Philippines during the 31st SEA Games in 2022 where the country missed out on the podium at fourth place.
I DON'T THINK SO BECAUSE SHE HAS STARTED THE PROCESS FOR [JAPANESE] CITIZENSHIP. BAD FOR US, GOOD FOR THEM," SOUZA DE BRITO TOLD REPORTERS ON SATURDAY.
As per the International Volleyball Federation rule, "a player who has previously played for another national team will only be eligible to play for a national squad of the new federation only after two years have elapsed. This two-year period starts from the day that the complete application file is received by the FIVB".
Additionally, the Federation of Origin may only be changed when a player has "established residence in the country of her new Federation of Origin for a minimum of two continuous years, the player has obtained the nationality of the country of the new Federation, and the player's old and new Federation agrees to the change."
Apart from playing in Japan's V.League since 2018, Santiago has recently been engaged to her Japanese coach and trainer Taka Minowa, solidifying her intention to build her career overseas.
"Good for her also. I'm always hoping that she can be happy. As you know she's a good player," added de Brito.
Santiago last suited up for the Philippine women's team in the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam last year where they failed to make a podium finish at fourth place as reported by Manila Bulletin.
Meanwhile, Jaja last made an appearance in the PVL during its maiden Open Conference in 2021 where she led the Chery Tiggo Crossovers to a championship and was named as the Conference and Finals' Most Valuable Player.
Tags: #Volleyball, #Japan, #FIVB