Jaja Santiago-Minowa finished with 19 points in her debut with Creamline in the PVL Invitational Conference on Monday. She scored 17 from 30 attacks and also had a block and an ace.
A warning to the rest of the field: She’s still adjusting to her team’s system.
‘I’d say I’m around 70 percent. It’s really me who needs to adjust because this is their system and I’m the one who came into the team. I still need to learn more about our blocking system and defense,’ said Minowa in Filipino. ‘But I don’t think it’s that difficult because I’ve been training with them for about two months now. I think we’re getting there, and hopefully throughout this Invitational, everything will connect.’
When that everything connects, Santiago-Minowa expects the Cool Smashers to be better than they were when they fended off Nxled, 25-20, 25-23, 23-25, 25-20, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
One of the things the 6-foot-5 ace hopes to improve is her connection with setter Kyle Negrito, who dished out 31 excellent sets on top of six points.
‘I think with Kyle, we’re getting there. We’re finding the connection that we’re looking for. In crucial moments, though, it’s not only her who needs to adjust. Sometimes her sets go lower, but sometimes I also get too close to the net. So both of us really need to work on that connection, especially in crucial moments,’ said the Filipino-born, Japanese citizen.
‘And it’s not just me and the setter. Everyone needs to adjust and connect with Coach Sherwin’s system. I think we just fell short in the crucial moments today, especially in stopping our errors.’
The 6-foot-5 middle blocker is just honored to be on the same team as her fellow PVL MVPs Alyssa Valdez, Jema Galanza, Tots Carlos, and Michele Gumabao under eight-time champion coach Sherwin Meneses.
‘Joining Creamline wasn’t really difficult for me because, like Coach Sherwin said, we all practice and perform together. What’s good about this team is that no one is above anyone else. Everyone is equal on the court,’ said Minowa.
‘They’re also very good at handling new and old players. They adjust quickly, and no one gets left behind. When I joined Creamline, it wasn’t difficult for me to adjust. And as an experienced player, I would never look down on them because I’m still learning too. I always say I’m not a perfect middle, so whatever they can teach me and whatever I can share with them, it’s give and take.’
Galanza backstopped Minowa with 17 points, 14 digs, and 11 excellent receptions. Tots Carlos had 14 points, while Alyssa Valdez had 13 points and 12 receptions.
The Cool Smashers eye their second win against Ho Chi Minh City of Vietnam on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
Jonah Sabete-Escamillan and EJ Cariño led the Chameleons’ win in the third set, as they continued to miss Brooke Van Sickle due to a shoulder injury.
Escamillan had 20 points, 25 receptions, and 11 digs. Cariño had 18 points, while MJ Phillips added 11.
Nxled seeks a bounce-back against defending champion PLDT on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m.