So now that Jaja Santiago has confirmed that she's playing with NU in Season 76, the question is, how will the other teams handle this 6-feet 4-inches middle spiker/blocker?
As I have said in a previous post, this girl will make a huge impact in the next season of UAAP volleyball. The Rookie of the Year award is just waiting for her. We saw how active she is on the court and how hard she trains. She doesn't sit still when benched. Instead, she continues warming up doing jogs and jumps in the corner.
So how will the other teams control this one hell of a middle attacker/blocker?
DLSU - Mika Reyes. I think Mika Reyes has finally found her match in Jaja Santiago. Jaja is not only taller than Mika, she is also a more powerful spiker. Mika's experience and confidence will surely be an asset but if Jaja will keep on improving her timing and court sense, NU will give DLSU a run for their money.
ADMU - Hmm. This is quite interesting. Tajima and Patnongon will be the weapon of choice for Coach Gorayeb as the two are not that far from Jaja when it comes to height. But the two ADMU giants will have to train very hard. They have to move faster and come up with better attacks and blocks in order to neutralize Jaja. If Tajima and Patnongon will not be developed, ADMU will have to settle for the bronze next season. There's no way they can get into the finals without a strong middle. Will Valdez be enough? Not really.
AdU - Mylene Paat! Wow. This girl is surely a force to reckon with next season. She has the makings of a taller Pau Soriano. She already shows some good blocking and middle attacks in their V-league games. Plus, at 6 feet, she's not too small for Jaja. If Paat will be quicker and more powerful, Adamson will have little problem in controlling Jaja.
UST - I'm quite unsure about this but Jessey De Leon maybe? However, I haven't seen UST play against NU so I have no idea how they will adjust to Jaja. But De Leon is their best bet. She's not that tall but she's fast and has great timing. Maybe if Cortel and Hirotsuji will be developed, UST will have more chances of neutralizing Jaja next season.
Season 76 will not start until December so until then, we really don't know what will happen. What I know for sure is that, it will be one of the best Seasons of UAAP volleyball. Comments?
Wala namang kwneta yang jaja e. Hyped lang. Parang Tejada at Llaneta dati. Kala mo kung sino. Waley pala. bwahahaha
ReplyDeleteWell kung wala siyang kwenta, then she wouldn't have earned a spot in the Bomberinas. Also, she's in the process of converting to a middle blocker from her usual position of wing attacker in high school.
DeleteTo be honest, with the way she's been playing from the start of this V-League season, everyone can already see how much she's improved. Yes, she's not at par yet with her sister or with Valdez, Ortiz, and the other great middle hitters in terms of attacks and blocks, but you can't hide the fact that she will join the ranks soon. And with her height, power, and determination, I won't be surprised if you, Mr./Ms. Anonymous, will eat your words. :)
she has still a lot to improve...like speed. but yes...with more training she will be with the ranks of the best volleyball players that we have..sana lang hnd mainjure at prone ang mattangkad sa injuries.
ReplyDeletecortel? it's Cortez po ata.. 5'10 ata ung batang yun, sayang at nsa bench lagi..
ReplyDeleteI guess si Jaja (atbp giants ng NU) angt uluyang magpapatangkad ng buong UAAP kahit ang UP eh humahabol na sa patangkaran eh. Feeling ko ang La Salle eh naghahanda na sa NU next season eh.UE nalang ata ang hindi nagsisipag next season.
ReplyDelete