Sachi Minowa, formerly Jaja Santiago, will reunite with Alyssa Valdez at Creamline in the Premier Volleyball League even for a brief time.
Minowa, who was naturalized as a Japanese two years ago after her marriage to current Alas Pilipinas women’s coach Taka Minowa, will join the Cool Smashers in the PVL Invitational and Reinforced late this year.
It’s a short deal since 30-year-old 6-5 middle blocker has signed a deal with the San Francisco Signal in the United States’ League One Volleyball Pro where she would start playing January next year.
It will be a much-sought PVL return for Minowa after suiting up with the now defunct Chery Tiggo Crossover in the COVID era bubble in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte.
Meanwhile, Alas Pilipinas succumbed to defending champion China, 25-18, 25-21, 25-13, at the start of the FIVB Volleyball Girls U17 World Championship in San Felipe, Chile.
In the women’s SEA V Cup Leg 2 in Chiang Mai, Thailand, the Thais, now with their ‘Team A’ after fielding their youth team in Leg 1 in Hanoi, Vietnam, overpowered the Filipinas, 25-19, 25-17, 25-19.