By Jean Malanum
MANILA – Creamline takes on Galeries Tower as the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) concludes its six-week On Tour Showdown at Victorias City Coliseum in Negros Occidental on Saturday.
The return of former league ace Sachi Minowa, better known to Filipino fans as Jaja Santiago, highlights the 6:30 p.m. match.
The former Chery Tiggo star begins her stint with the Creamline ahead of the coming PVL Invitational Conference.
It marks another significant chapter in the career of the 6-foot-5 middle blocker, who led Chery Tiggo to the 2021 PVL Open Conference championship before moving to Japan, where she played for several seasons and eventually acquired Japanese citizenship.
Minowa has already tasted life in Creamline colors, playing in a recent friendly against Choco Mucho in Cagayan de Oro.
“It’s really good to be back. I really missed things like this here in the Philippines. So I’m very happy and excited to play here again,” Minowa said in a news release Friday.
Her comeback is about more than simply returning to the court in front of Filipino fans. She is also relishing the opportunity to work alongside Creamline’s established stars while learning from a new generation of players.
“It’s overwhelming because there are so many talented players in Creamline and there are so many kids. I’m really excited to learn from the young players and, of course, from the veterans of Creamline,” she said.
Minowa joins a formidable Creamline lineup led by Alyssa Valdez, Michele Gumabao and Jema Galanza, with Lorie Bernardo and newcomer Ishie Lalongisip also expected to figure prominently.
Minowa is scheduled to pursue a professional career in the United States after the Invitational Conference.
Bacolod native Erika Deloria, Jean Asis, Roselle Baliton and Jade Gentapa will banner Galeries Tower, with veterans Aiza Maizo, Camille Victoria and Lycha Ebon providing experience and composure.
Meanwhile, Capital1 and Farm Fresh meet at 4 p.m.
The six-week initiative, organized by Sports Vision, has taken the league and its stars beyond traditional volleyball centers, bringing games to Isabela, Batangas, Ilocos Sur, South Cotabato and Lanao del Norte before the finale in Negros Occidental. (PNA)
