By MARK REY MONTEJO
Veteran Jaja Santiago looks to stay in top form ahead of her US journey after signing with the Creamline Cool Smasher, marking her return to the Premier Volleyball League, the team officially announced Friday, Aug. 7.
Santiago, 30, will make her comeback in the country’s top volleyball competition where she wears the Cool Smashers colors, a development that was shared first by her now teammate, Michelle Gumabao.
“Since naguunahan nalang din tayo! Welcome to Team Jaja! Creamline Creamy Ice Cream #sorrynotsorry,” Gumabao wrote on her social media post.
“[Limited time only.] Jaja Santiago will return to the #PVL2026 with Creamline before moving to the United States to join San Francisco in the LOVB Pro,” the Creamline captioned on its separate post.
After five years since her last PVL appearance with the now-defunct Chery Tiggo, Santiago will take a familiar starring role and also reunites with former teammates including her University of Santo Tomas high school buddy Alyssa Valdez.
Santiago, one of the country’s top middle blockers, also set for a full-circle moment after she, as eventual Conference MVP, once led the Crossovers’ 2021 Open Conference title win over Valdez and the Cool Smashers.
After her maiden championship triumph with Chery, the 6-foot-5 tower bade farewell and returned to Japan to continue her stint with different clubs.
After her Creamline stint, Santiago will join the San Francisco Signal in US’ League One Volleyball (LOVB) which is set to open its new season next year.
