THEY have met playing for opposite teams several times before. But this time around, the stakes just got higher.
Foton’s Alyja Daphne “Jaja” Santiago and Petron’s Aleona Denise “Dindin” Santiago-Manabat expect another highly anticipated sister vs sister showdown, as their respective teams clash in the best-of-three titular series in Game One at 4 p.m. on Thursday of the Philippine Superliga (PSL) Grand Prix at the Cuneta Astrodome.
But despite playing for different teams, the Santiagos, perhaps the tallest Filipina volleyball players ever, find the competition healthy, satisfying and exciting.
“I’m happy because we’re both in the finals since we all know that all the teams strive hard for this,” the 22-year-old Dindin said.
“I’m also happy because we talked about this during the semis,” Jaja, the younger at 20, said. “We told each other that we should win our matches in order to set another finals showdown with her but, at the same time, I’m nervous,”
Dindin praised the improvements her younger sister showed since they last played together for National University in Season 77 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.
“She improved a lot in terms of service, attacks and blockings. Almost all areas she improved,” she said.
In their duel for the Superliga trophy, Dindin said experience is her advantage against her taller sister. She is 6-foot-2, while Jaja is 6-foot-4.
“Playing as a veteran is my advantage since I have a lot of exposure in the championship,” the elder of the two said.
The younger Santiago, who is in her first year in the PSL, said she is optimistic she can match the skills of her sister in their best-of-three title showdown.
“My advantage is my height and confidence,” Jaja said. “Because I have to be confident so that I can match the skills of my sister, whatever she does I have to beat that.”
“I will play my heart out, I will give my best game to my team in the finals and flaunt my maturity,” she added.
Jaja won the finals showdown against her sister in the Shakey’s V-League last summer, when PLDT outlasted Army in three games. But as they meet in the PSL finals for the first time, Dindin wants to get the title this time for “three-peat-seeking” Petron.
“I think this is my time to beat her [Jaja] here in the pro ranks. We will not be sisters inside the court since we’re both focused,” Dindin said. “Especially Jaja, because she wants to do her best to help her team.”
Image credits: Courtesy Tiebreaker Times