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Tag: Denso Airybees

  • Thea Gagate secures first overseas stint with Japan SV.LEAGUE club Denso Airybees

    Thea Gagate secures first overseas stint with Japan SV.LEAGUE club Denso Airybees

    Fresh from helping establish herself as one of the Premier Volleyball League’s rising middle blockers, Thea Gagate will continue her career overseas after signing with Japan SV.League club Denso Airybees for the 2026-27 season.

     

    The Japanese club officially announced Gagate’s arrival on Friday, adding another promising Filipino talent to its roster.

     

    “We would like to thank you for your warm support to Denso Airybees. We would like to inform you that we have decided to sign Thea Allison Gagate,” Denso Airybees said in a social media post.

     

    The move places Gagate in familiar company as she becomes the third Filipino to suit up for Denso Airybees, following Jia De Guzman and Jaja Santiago, now known as Sachi Minowa. 

     

    Her signing also expands the growing list of Filipinos who have earned opportunities in Japan’s premier volleyball league, joining Bryan Bagunas, Marck Espejo, Sachi Minowa, Dindin Santiago-Manabat, Jia De Guzman, Maddie Madayag, and Brian Castro.

     

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    For Gagate, joining one of Japan’s established clubs represents more than just her first overseas stint—it is an opportunity to continue developing against some of Asia’s top professional players.

     

    “I am incredibly excited to join the Denso Airybees family! This club has a history of excellence and a tradition of playing with collective energy. Joining the league with them is a massive opportunity,” Gagate said.

     

    “I see so much potential in what this squad can achieve, and I’m ready to give everything I have to contribute to that legacy. Let’s build something unforgettable.”

     

    Before turning professional, Gagate built an impressive résumé at De La Salle University. She captured three UAAP championships, winning two titles with the Lady Bullpups before helping the Lady Spikers reclaim the women’s volleyball crown.

     

    Her move overseas also creates a significant void for ZUS Coffee, where she emerged as one of the anchors of the Thunderbelles’ formidable middle rotation in the Premier Volleyball League.

     

    With Gagate departing, ZUS Coffee is expected to lean on Zam Nolasco, Riza Nogales, and rookie Alyanna Ong to handle the middle, while converted opposite hitter AC Miner offers another option at the net.

     

    The Thunderbelles remain in the middle of their PVL On Tour campaign and are scheduled to wrap up their preliminary schedule against PLDT on August 8 in Santiago, Isabela, while Gagate begins preparing for the biggest chapter of her volleyball career in Japan.

     

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  • Jaja Santiago takes talents to US, joins LOVB after decorated career in Japan 

    Jaja Santiago takes talents to US, joins LOVB after decorated career in Japan 

    For almost a decade, Japan served as the foundation of Jaja Santiago’s rise into one of Asia’s most respected middle blockers. Now, the Filipino volleyball star is preparing to write a new chapter and this time on American soil.

     

    Santiago, who now competes under the name Sachi Minowa, confirmed that she will continue her professional career in the United States after securing a spot in League One Volleyball (LOVB), one of the sport’s newest and fastest-growing professional leagues.

     

    During the Philippine leg of the 2026 Volleyball Nations League (VNL) at PhilSports Arena in Pasig City, the 30-year-old told reporters that her move to the United States is already confirmed, with her team assignment still awaiting official announcement.

    “I’m going to US next season,” Santiago confirmed.

     

    Days after her announcement, LOVB officially welcomed the Filipina through its social media channels.

     

    “Adding a new country to our list: the Philippines! Welcome, Sachi “Jaja” Minowa!!”

     

    The move signals the end of a remarkable nine-year stay in Japan, where Santiago steadily established herself as one of the country’s elite middle blockers.

     

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    She first suited up for Saitama Ageo Medics, spending five seasons with the club before transferring to Osaka Marvelous, where she played a key role in capturing the 2024–25 SV.League championship. 

     

    She wrapped up her Japanese career with the Denso Airybees during the 2025–26 season before deciding to pursue a fresh challenge in the United States.

     

    Across her successful stint in Japan, Santiago collected two Best Middle Blocker awards, cementing her reputation as one of the league’s most dominant forces at the net.

     

    Her next destination also represents another step into volleyball’s evolving professional landscape. 

     

    League One Volleyball launched its inaugural professional season in 2025 and has quickly attracted elite talent from around the world.

     

    Unlike traditional leagues, LOVB signs players directly before distributing them among its 10 professional teams, meaning Santiago’s club assignment will be announced at a later date.

     

    She joins an expanding roster of international stars in the league, including Thailand standout Pimpichaya Kokram, as LOVB continues to strengthen its global reach.

     

    While awaiting the announcement of her new team, Santiago shared that her focus remains on staying in top condition as she prepares for another major transition in her career.

     

    With Japan behind her and a new opportunity waiting in the United States, Santiago’s journey continues to expand beyond borders—adding another milestone to one of the most accomplished international careers by a Filipino volleyball player.

     

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  • After nine years in Japan, Jaja Santiago set for US volleyball journey 

    After nine years in Japan, Jaja Santiago set for US volleyball journey 

    After nearly a decade building her career in Japan, Jaja Santiago is preparing for another major move abroad.

     

    The former Philippine national team standout, now known as Sachi Minowa following her marriage to Japanese and former Akari coach Taka Minowa, confirmed that she will continue her professional volleyball career in the United States beginning next season.

     

    Speaking to reporters during the Philippine leg of the 2026 Volleyball Nations League (VNL) at PhilSports Arena in Pasig City, Santiago revealed that a deal is already in place, although details regarding her new club and league have yet to be officially announced.

     

    “I’m going to US next season,” Santiago confirmed.

     

    The 30-year-old middle blocker said the competition is scheduled to start in January, with an announcement from her new team expected soon.

     

    “I think next week, they will announce the league where I will play,” she said.

     

    While Santiago did not disclose her destination, she is expected to suit up in either League One Volleyball (LOVB) or Major League Volleyball (MLV), two of the emerging professional women’s volleyball competitions in the United States.

     

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    The move will mark another significant chapter in a career that has largely been built overseas.

     

    Standing 6-foot-5, Santiago spent the last nine years competing in Japan’s top professional leagues, where she established herself as one of the country’s premier middle blockers.

     

    Most recently, she played for Denso Airybees during the 2025-26 SV.League season. Before that, she spent five successful seasons with Saitama Ageo Medics and later had a stint with Osaka Marvelous.

     

    Throughout her stay in Japan, Santiago earned two Best Middle Blocker awards and consistently ranked among the league’s most respected players at her position.

     

    With several months remaining before her move to the United States, Santiago’s immediate focus has shifted toward maintaining her fitness and game shape.

     

    “I’ll be there (US), November. Sobrang laki nung gap, so kailangan ko maghanap ng way para maging kondisyon pagdating no’n,” the former NU Lady Bulldogs standout said. 

     

    The lengthy break between seasons has prompted Santiago to explore training opportunities while also weighing other options closer to home.

     

    A return to the Premier Volleyball League has not been ruled out, although the former PVL Open Conference and Finals MVP stressed that no decisions have been finalized. The veteran middle blocker is also hoping to maximize time with her family and husband before beginning another overseas campaign.

     

    “Right now, I’m working out with Coach Luis because I need to. Sometimes, Taka and I also do workouts,” she said.

     

    For Santiago, the move represents another challenge in a career that has already seen her succeed in one of Asia’s strongest volleyball environments. After nine years in Japan, the next stop is the United States, where she will look to bring her experience, size, and international pedigree to a new league.

     

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