For the second straight week, National University’s Jaja Santiago has been named the UAAP Season 80 Player of the Week for her efforts in the team’s victory over De La Salle University.
The 6’5″ hitter was the outstanding reason that National was able to take down the two-time defending champions in a five-set thriller 3-2, (26-24, 19-25, 22-25, 25-17, 16-14). Santiago put down 27 points in the win, including 20 kills, four blocks and three aces. In the fifth set, National went up late 14-13 to hold match points but De La Salle pushed back to tie things at 14 all before Santiago slammed down a kill to force match point once again. An ace from Aiko Urdas pushed the team to the 16-14 fifth set victory.
Santiago is just one of many players on the team that plays a huge role for the team in crunch time, but she wants the ball in crunch time.
“No matter who gets the ball, Jasmin Nabor is confident, but the only thing that I can give is to kill the ball with no hesitation,” said Santiago to spin.ph.
National is now 4-0 in the UAAP Season 80 women’s volleyball tournament. Up next, National will take on the University of Santo Tomas where Santiago will face off against a strong team and Sisi Rondina who was up for player of the week this week.
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