The 6-foot-5 middle blocker met the national team during a layover going to Brazil and completed the 14-man lineup of the Philippine women’s volleyball national team to see action for the 2022 SEA Games.

The former PVL MVP and champion will be representing the Philippines along with Alyssa Valdez, Mylene Paat, Majoy Baron, Ces Molina, Kath Arado, Jema Galanza, Aby Maraño, and Dawn Macandili.

Santiago was recently hailed as the Best Blocker honors in the 2021-22 season of Japan’s V.League Women’s Division 1 after tallying 103 blocks in the 33 games that she played this season and averaged 0.81 blocks per set, far and away the most in the league.

“I would like to dedicate this award to my family, coaches and teammates. This award is only possible with the support of everyone,” said Santiago.

The Philippine team will stay in Barueri to hold a three-week camp where they will be under the supervision of Jorge Edson Souza de Brito and Odjie Mamon, along with Grace Antigua and Raffy Mosuela.

The SEA Games is scheduled on May 12-23 in Vietnam.