V-League: Jaja Santiago surprised to win first MVP award

Jaja Santiago reached a milestone in her young volleyball career after getting named as the Finals Most Valuable Player of the Shakey's V-League Open Conference on Sunday.

The 6-foot-5 middle blocker, who scored 17 points to help PLDT Home Ultera bag the championship against Philippine Army, said she was surprised to win her very first MVP honors.

"Hindi ko po in-expect na ako yung mag-e-MVP. Actually niloloko ko nga po sila, Aleona Denise po dapat 'yun, malapit lang po sa pangalan ko kaya naging Alyja," she said referring to her older sister, who also scored 17 points in the five-set thriller for the Lady Troopers.

After the initial euphoria, however, Santiago turned serious and refused to be satisfied with her achievement.

"Na-realize ko na hindi pa nagtatapos dun 'yung mga dream ko so alam ko marami pa akong kailangan i-improve. Hindi pa ako titigil dun," she said.

Santiago scored the winning point of the game off a power tip against her sister Santiago-Manabat, ending their sibling rivalry in the conference.

"Iniisip ko na hindi ko siya kapatid, kasi pag inisip ko may mga times na parang mai-inditimate ka," she said about the last play. "Walang kapa-kapatid."

The two hugged and kissed after the game, effectively calling a truce as they wear the same jersey again for the upcoming Southeast Asian Games as members of the national team.

Asked how they will celebrate their fierce battle in the V-League, Santiago said they will party in Singapore instead as they are busy preparing for the SEAG competition.

"Magkasama naman kami sa SEA games, so siguro dun na lang kami mag-celebrate kasi walang time," she said. - RAF, GMA News