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Jillian Santos.–Photo from UIC

MANILA, Philippines — Jillian Santos is out to prove her worth as the newest De La Salle Lady Spiker in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament, which opens over the weekend at Mall of Asia Arena.

Santos, a 5-foot-10 opposite spiker, has decided to come back in the league, this time with the Lady Spikers, after three years in the US NCAA Division 1 with the University of Illinois Chicago, where she served as team captain in her senior season.

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SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 87 volleyball tournament first round

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The psychology student-athlete, who graduated with summa cum laude honors, decided to take a master’s degree at La Salle and play as the team’s two-and-through player starting this season.

“First and foremost, my family is all here. They mean a lot to me, so I wanted to come home,” she said. “After learning that I had two more years of UAAP eligibility left, La Salle reached out to me. They not only offered me a chance to play but also pursue my master’s in clinical psychology,” Santos explained. “Alongside that, it’s always great to be home.”

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“La Salle was the primary one that really expressed interest. They got to know me on a personal level—even my dad (Jeffrey) and other family members. They built that connection, which impacted my decision. Plus, my mom (Gieneen) graduated from La Salle, so that also played a role,” she added.

Article continues after this advertisement READ: UAAP: Angel Canino, La Salle motivated by failed title defense

Before playing in the NCAA, Santos played for National University-Nazareth School and later suited up for University of Santo Tomas. She also had a brief stint with Ateneo as part of the COVID reserves in Season 84.

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Santos is excited to face her old friends Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, and Shaira Jardio with La Salle facing NU on Sunday as well as her other former teammates Detdet Pepito and Reg Jurado of UST and Ateneo’s Lyann De Guzman, AC Miner, and Taks Fujimoto.

“I’m so excited to face them,” she said. “Friendships built through volleyball are what really connect us. It’s great to see them again, and I’m excited to compete against them this upcoming season.”

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Santos, who was once under the mentorship of three-time MVP Alyssa Valdez during their workouts in the US, is honored to play under the winning culture of the winningest UAAP volleyball coach Ramil De Jesus, who gave her another shot at the UAAP.

cashman casino READ: UST Tigresses dethrone La Salle, return to UAAP volleyball Finals

“Coach Ramil is a great mentor,” she said. “You can see day in and day out that he truly cares about the personal excellence of each one of his players. I’m grateful to be a part of his system this season.”

And she can’t wait to share what she learned from the international league as La Salle hopes to bounce back from losing the title last year after settling for bronze.

“It was incredible—playing in another country, experiencing a new level of play, and pushing myself,” Santos said. “I made lifelong friends, learned a lot about independence, and even became captain of UIC in my last season. That was something I never expected, but I welcomed the challenge with open arms.”

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Santos is also ready to adapt to the “scrappy and strategy playing style of the Philippines” coming from the “big man volleyball” of the US.

“[Playing in the NCAA] forced me to step out of my comfort zone and understand myself better—not just as a player but as a person. Now, I’m back to square one with La Salle, but I’m ready to learn again and adapt to the Philippine style of play,” she added.

As she joins Angel Canino, Alleiah Malaluan, Shevana Laput, and Amie Provido, Santos vows to leave everything on the floor for the Lady Spikers.

“I’m always going to give a hundred percent—on and off the court,” she said.

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“Our team is working hard. We’re excited for the competition8k8, and yes, we’re gunning for that championship. We’re confident.”

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