Dindin hits back with the FOTON Tornadoes

Just three months after giving birth to her first baby, former National University Lady Bulldog Dindin Santiago-Manabat is heading back to the court. This time however, she takes the field alongside previous opponents in last year’s Philippine SuperLiga Grand Prix, the FOTON Tornadoes.

For all intents and purposes, the 6-foot-2 middle blocker will comprise the second leg of twin towers as she joins younger sister, the 6-foot-5 Jaja Santiago who has been playing with the team since 2015.

“Since the FOTON Tornadoes joined PSL, their line-up has been gaining notice for its Cinderella-storylike rise in the court. The group started the season placing on the lower half yet ended it up wearing the crown. That’s what I admire the most and I’m very grateful to FOTON because they chose me to become part of the story.” says Santiago-Manabat.

Santiago-Manabat kicked off her professional career in the PSL as the first overall pick in the 2014 season for Petron Blaze Spikers, before having to put her career on hold due to pregnancy. On her return to active duty, Santiago-Manabat is obviously exuberant.

“It’s been a while since Jaja and I played together for one team. I’m excited to be able to show off our best shots together.” she said.

Before her temporary break, Santiago-Manabat’s final game was during the 2015 PSL Grand Prix where she faced-off with her middle-blocker sister of the FOTON Tornadoes. The Tornadoes eventually won the season’s championship and earned the right to represent the Philippines in the Asian Women’s Club Championship as team FOTON Pilipinas.