Chery Tiggo Crossovers head coach Emilio “Kung Fu” Reyes and Dindin Santiago-Manabat are delighted over Jaja Santiago, now Sachi Minowa, obtaining Japanese citizenship.
Reyes noted that this move brings Santiago closer to fulfilling her dream of playing in the Olympics someday.
“I am happy for her,” said Reyes. Ito na ‘yung dream niya, kaya that’s why nandun naman siya sa Japan, and nakapag-asawa na rin ng Japanese (Taka Minowa), siyempre.”
Reyes added that he hopes Santiago will push harder to secure a spot on the Japan national women’s volleyball team and fulfill her dream of competing in the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles.
“I think ‘yun ang pinaka, one of the biggest dreams nung bata, hindi na pala bata, may asawa na,” Reyes said. “I am happy for her na nakuha niya ‘yung isa sa mga talagang pangarap niya. Hindi na lang siya pangarap, andiyan na.”
“Konti pa, mas ma-fulfill niya ‘yung dream niya to join the Olympics, ‘yun lang naman ang target, that’s why nag-migrate siya sa Japan,” added the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses head coach.
Santiago-Manabat, Jaja’s elder sister, also expressed her happiness with her sister’s naturalization and hopes that she will still have the opportunity to compete in the Olympics in four years.
“Bago pa mag (Paris) Olympics lumabas na ‘yung passport niya and nag-declare sa amin na ‘yun Japanese citizen na siya,” the Choco Mucho Flying Titans veteran said.
“Sobrang happy ko kasi ‘yun naman ang hinihintay ni Jaja. Hindi man siya nakapasok this Olympics, happy naman siya kasi ‘yung isa sa mga pangarap niya ay natupad,” Santiago-Manabat added.
Santiago’s journey in Japan began in 2019, when she joined the Saitama Ageo Medics for four years. She transferred to the JT Marvelous squad last season, where they finished as runners-up.
The post Coach Kung Fu, Dindin glad as Jaja Santiago nears Olympic dream first appeared on Fastbreak.
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