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Volleyball: Jaja Santiago has naturalization offer from Japan club

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ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/tvpatrol/03/23/ageo-medics.jpg"/><figcaption>Jaja Santiago won her first championship with Saitama Ageo Medics. Photo courtesy of Ageo Medics on Twitter (@Saitama_AMG)</figcaption></figure></div>MANILA - Filipina volleyball star Jaja Santiago has become such a valuable player for Japan side Saitama Ageo Medics that the club is willing to facilitate her naturalization.Santiago dropped the bombshell in a conversation with Anton Roxas on &quot;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLCkHQNmXag">Volleyball DNA</a>,&quot; where she explained her decision to remain with Ageo Medics despite offers from other teams -- and other leagues.The 25-year-old middle blocker revealed that she had opportunities to sign with clubs from Turkey and China, but opted not to take the risk due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Three other V.League teams -- the Kurobe AquaFairies, the PFU BlueCats, and the Toray Arrows -- also gave her offers.&quot;But then, &#x27;yung dalawa, nasa ibaba namin (sa rankings),&quot; she said. &quot;Mas, kumbaga angat kami sa rank sa kanila. &#x27;Yung Toray ilang taon na rin sila nasa Final 4, but then last season, wala sila.&quot;&quot;So, gusto ko kunin &#x27;yung opportunity na maglaro sa mataas na team and sa Japan. Pero hindi ko, ayaw ko naman ding iwan &#x27;yung opportunity na binibigay sa akin ng Brazilian coach ko sa Ageo,&quot; she added.Brazil&#x27;s Antônio Marcos Lerbach came on last year to replace Toshiaki Yoshida as head coach of Ageo Medics.He steered the club to fifth place in the V.League tournament, as well as a championship in the inaugural Division 1 V.Cup just last week. Ageo&#x27;s triumph made Santiago the first Filipino to win a volleyball championship in an international league.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/03/28/21/volleyball-jaja-santiago-makes-history-as-ageo-medics-claim-v-cup">READ: Jaja Santiago makes history as Ageo Medics claim V Cup</a></li></ul>It also underscored her importance to the club, as Santiago was one of the most efficient players in the tournament as well as one of the team&#x27;s top blockers. According to the Filipina veteran, her coach assured that she has a place in the team&#x27;s future.&quot;Nasabi niya sa akin na may magandang plano siya para sa akin. So, kailangan ko mag-stay,&quot; said Santiago.&quot;Kalagitnaan lang ng liga, kinakausap na nila ako na sana mag-stay pa ako ng maraming taon. Gusto nilang palitan &#x27;yung nationality ko, actually,&quot; she added. &quot;Gusto nila akong mag-stay pa doon, tapos gusto nila akong tulungan palitan &#x27;yung nationality ko.&quot;Naturalizing Santiago will allow her to play for Ageo Medics as a local. Santiago, a mainstay of the Philippine national volleyball team, admits that the option was a tempting one give Japan&#x27;s status in world volleyball.&quot;Well, may dream ako maglaro ng Olympics,&quot; she noted. Japan has regularly competed in the Olympic Games, winning bronze in the 2012 Summer Games in London. &quot;Pero siyempre, may pride pa din naman ako. Pilipino pa din naman ako. Gusto kong tulungan &#x27;yung bansa natin,&quot; said Santiago. &quot;Doon sa goal ko na &#x27;yun, gusto ko kasama ko &#x27;yung mga kapwa Pilipino ko, &#x27;di ba.&quot;But even as she reiterated her commitment to the Philippines, Santiago said the possibility of switching federations is something that will stay at the back of her mind.&quot;Kung wala talagang chance, why not, why not, &#x27;di ba? Pero it&#x27;s on the back of my mind na, pwede, pwede ako mag-change ng nationality,&quot; she said.For the meantime, Santiago&#x27;s focus will be on Chery Tiggo&#x27;s campaign in the Premier Volleyball League. FROM THE ARCHIVES:<figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9SRuEgiDyIQ?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

Filipina volleyball star Jaja Santiago has become such a valuable player for Japan side Saitama Ageo Medics that the club is willing to facilitate her naturalization.

Filipina volleyball star Jaja Santiago has become such a valuable player for Japan side Saitama Ageo Medics that the club is willing to facilitate her naturalization.