Jaja Santiago confident in leadership role with NU Lady Bulldogs

MANILA, Philippines – As one of the tallest and most talented volleyball players in the UAAP, Jaja Santiago was almost automatically given a big responsibility on the NU Lady Bulldogs team despite being just 20 years old. 

But the 6-foot-5 middle hitter is more than willing to bear the obligation. 

“I don’t feel pressured. I choose to be confident that I can take the obligation that coach is giving me,” Santiago shared in Filipino after her team punched in its first win of UAAP Season 78 in the women’s volleyball tournament Saturday, February 6. 

“I am one of the tallest players inside the court, why would I not want to accept that obligation? At the same time coach told me not to be overconfident, I should balance it out. Go with the flow whatever happens.” 

Head coach Roger Gorayeb, who took over the team in the middle of last season, instantly saw Santiago, now playing in her third year, as NU’s biggest asset and she quickly became the Lady Bulldogs’ primary weapon. 

“Ever since I arrived at NU I always emphasized to them that they should keep giving the ball to Jaja. She’s tall, she’s 6-foot-5, she won’t get easily blocked,” the renowned Gorayeb explained in Filipino. “She’s our greatest advantage over other teams, we have someone that tall. We should maximize Jaja as a 6-foot-5 player.”

Gorayeb certainly has a point. Santiago swiftly made a name for herself in the UAAP when she entered in Season 76 and became Rookie of the Year. Last season, as NU finished in the Final Four anew, Santiago took home the Best Attacker plum. 

Santiago exploded for a game-high 20 points off 18 kills and a block in a 4-set win over the Adamson Lady Falcons after just an 11-point output to open the season. 

The problem since last year, however, has been that Santiago does not always get ideal sets for her attacks given her massive height. Her arm often isn’t stretched to full length during attacks, decreasing her chances for more powerful and better angled spikes. 

Gorayeb pointed this out last season and his team is steadily adjusting. Promising rookie setter Rica Diolan is proving effective for the Lady Bulldogs as she is able to distribute sets among her attackers for unpredictability, and she is slowly developing a connection with Santiago.

“I just always think that I have my teammates no matter what,” said Santiago, who also credited Diolan’s setting for her improved play against Adamson. 

“I always just tell the setter to get the ball up and I’ll take care of the rest,” she added. “As long as it’s high and not too low because it’ll be harder to spike. That’s what we always talk about.” 

Overcoming worries 

Despite having a towering Santiago at the net and flanked by prolific outside hitters Myla Pablo and Jorelle Singh, the Lady Bulldogs still struggle with consistency. 

Gorayeb rued his team’s character and how they react whenever they build a lead, like they did against defending champion Ateneo where they led for the better part of the first two sets only to suffer a meltdown. But NU played more relaxed against Adamson and responded well even when the Lady Falcons stole a set.

Santiago explained their tentativeness stems from too much worrying. 

“Against Ateneo whenever they rallied we were rattled. Coach told us to relax. Whenever we’re leading we should be more aggressive. But if the opponent is catching up, don’t allow yourself to get rattled. Toughen up and believe you can take the lead.”

The Lady Bulldogs, now 1-1, will have another tough assignment in the DLSU Lady Spikers on Wednesday, February 10. 

“We can’t play like that against La Salle,” Gorayeb warned. “La Salle still has that championship spirit plus they’re inspired by Ara Galang that despite coming from an injury, she is there inside the court with her team. That’s what drives them always. We need to neutralize them.” – Rappler.com