After leading National University to an impressive 3-0 record to start off UAAP Season 80, Jaja Santiago was chosen by the UAAP Press Corps as Player of The Week, according to Spin.ph. The 6’5″ senior erupted for 26 points on the Lady Bulldog’s come from behind tie-break win against Ateneo and 23 points on the 3-1 win against University of the East. She is currently UAAP’s second leading scorer at 21.7 points per game. She is also putting very good numbers on the defensive end, as she is currently the competition’s second best blocker at a 0.92 blocks per set clip, behind only Majoy Baron at 1.13 blocks per set clip.
Coach Babes Castillo had high praise for his prized pupil’s leadership:
“I think that as a team captain, Santiago responded right on the dot on what the situation was asking for. A team has to go with their captain. Whatever she says, you listen and go for it”
Here is what Santiago said of her leadership:
“I just told my teammates, that this was it, that we needed to bring home the three points, that we needed to respect every possession, stay 100% whistle to whistle, with perfect communication inside the court.”
Now, Santiago and National University will have one week to prepare for their upcoming match against two-time defending champion De la Salle Lady Spikers.
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