NU Lady Bulldogs’ Jaja Santiago is week’s best
FOR the scintillating performance and leadership he has been showing for the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 80-leading National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs, middle blocker and team captain Jaja Santiago was adjudged UAAP player of the week.
In two games last week for NU (3-0), the 6’5” Santiago took front and center with explosive numbers to help her team stay unblemished in the current season of UAAP women’s volleyball play.
Santiago, who is in her final year of playing in college, erupted for 26 points, 20 off kills, four blocks and two service aces, to lead the Lady Bulldogs in staving off the Ateneo Lady Eagles in five sets, 25-19, 25-19, 20- 25, 12- 25 and 15-7, last Wednesday.
She then followed it up with a 23-point outing at the weekend to carry NU to its third straight win at the expense of the University of the East Lady Warriors, 25-15, 18-25, 25-22 and 25-19, on Sunday.
The significance of the solid play of the national player is not lost to the NU team, saying it has been a big help in its bid to winning the title in Season 80.
“As the captain Jaja is responding right on the dot on what the situation is asking from her. The team has been following her lead and it bodes well for us,” said NU coach Babes Castillo of Santiago, who is no. 1 in the spiking department with a total of 49 kills and second in blocking with 0.92 average by set.
Santiago is also the second best scorer to date, averaging 21.7 points in three games, behind University of Santo Tomas’ Sisi Rondina (23.3 points).
In winning the weekly award, given by sports media covering the UAAP, Santiago beat out Rondina, Jema Galanza of Adamson and Michelle Cobb of De La Salle.
Santiago and the Lady Bulldogs trek back to the floor on Sunday, Feb. 18, against the two-time defending champions De La Salle Lady Spikers at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City. —