Jia de Guzman's first season in Japan would not have been as successful without the help of Jaja Santiago.
As Alas Pilipinas completed their 4-0 run in the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup preliminaries, a special supporter was watching from the sidelines, showing her support for the team.
Of course, this was none other than Jaja Santiago, who’s been back in the Philippines after her best season yet in Japan's V.League.
Immediately after the match agaist Chinese Taipei Sunday, the Alas players, including team captain Jia de Guzman, went to Santiago to return the love.
The two were former national team members in several international tournaments for the Philippines. But more than that, Jaja and Jia also proudly represent the country in the V1.
With JT Marvelous, Santiago emerged as the league’s best blocker for the second time in her V1 career and earned her place in the "Best 6" in consecutive seasons. On the other hand, de Guzman helped the Denso Airybees to the Japan V Cup title.
Having already adjusted to life in Japan, de Guzman admitted that her transition in the V1 wouldn’t have been possible without the help of Santiago during her first season.
“Being my first time being an import in Japan talaga, si Jaja was very open to sharing with me her challenges in her first year, especially with the language barrier. So siya, she was ready to offer me any help that [she can give],” de Guzman told reporters during Alas Pilipinas’ team presentation last May 20.
De Guzman also shared how Santiago, who has been called up to join the Japanese national team's training camp, was willing to help her learn the Japanese language and culture.
“Jaja is very fluent in Japanese, which is a big thing in Japan kasi, especially with my position na setter na I always have to be able to adjust like real-time with whatever sets my spikers want,” said de Guzman.
'Yun naman 'yung sobrang namiss ko coming here to the Philippines kasi agad-agad nakaka-adjust kami kasi we speak the same language, but back in Japan, kahit 'yung small things in Japanese culture na naninibago ako, Jaja was very willing to help and talk to me about it to help adjust,” she added.
[ALSO READ: Jaja Santiago speaks fluent Japanese in V.League promo, impresses new team JT Marvelous]
Expect Santiago to continue showing her support for de Guzman and the rest of Alas Pilipinas as they prepare to do battle against Kazakhstan in the semifinals for a chance at even greater history.