Jaja Santiago, now known as Sachi Minowa following her Japanese citizenship, is set to part ways with Osaka Marvelous at the end of the current Japan SV.League season.
After two years of wearing the Osaka Marvelous jersey, Jaja Santiago is set to bid farewell to the powerhouse Japanese club at the close of the current Japan SV.League season.
The 6-foot-5 middle blocker, now known as Sachi Minowa following her Japanese citizenship, is leaving Osaka alongside two others, as announced by the team.
Minowa expressed her gratitude to the Marvelous organization and their fans for the unwavering support.
“As I finish my last season with Osaka Marvelous, I want to thank you all for your amazing support over the past two years. Saying goodbye will be hard because this team has taught me so much and given me many happy moments,” said Minowa on the team's website. “Let’s make this final season special, and please keep supporting us until the end!”
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Minowa, who joined Osaka in 2023, quickly became one of the squad’s core contributors—even ranking as the league’s no. 1 spiker and blocker at one point during her stint.
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Currently, Osaka Marvelous sits atop the league standings with a 37-7 record after sweeping the Toray Arrows over the weekend, securing the regular season championship.
The squad is set to face eighth-seeded Astemo Rivale Ibaraki in the quarterfinals as they continue their title chase in Minowa’s final run with the club.
Last season, Osaka went undefeated all the way to the Finals, before losing the championship in a one-game knockout against Sarina Koga and the NEC Red Rockets.