Jaja Santiago-Minowa reintroduced herself with a loud bang as Creamline swept feisty Galeries Tower, 25-21, 25-16, 25-21, to complete a two-game sweep in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) On Tour Showdown on Saturday at Victorias City Coliseum in Negros Occidental.

Minowa, who played her first game in the league in five years after signing with the Cool Smashers early this month, gave a glimpse of what she could bring for the 11-time champion club after finishing all of her six points on kills.  

“It’s overwhelming to be able play again here in the Philippines, especially that we’re here (in Negros Occidental), where every team has so many supporters. I’m very happy to play and inspire all of them,” said Minowa, who led defunct Chery Tiggo to the 2021 Open Conference crown at the expense of Creamline in the three-game finale inside the Ilocos Norte bubble.

Alyssa Valdez had 10 points, Jema Galanza added seven markers and 11 digs while Tots Carlos and Pangs Panaga chipped in six points each for the Cool Smashers, who are set to aim for the season-opening Invitational Conference title starting 31 August.  

Despite the straight sets win, the crowd-drawing Cool Smashers had a hard time shaking off the Highrisers especially in the first and last sets.

Creamline had to rally from four points down midway into the third frame before overtaking Galeries Tower, 22-20. The Highrisers closed in by one after a Kyle Negrito service ace but Bea De Leon, Valdez and Panaga fired back with consecutive hits to close the match.

Jean Asis paced the Highrisers, who finished with a 1-2 record, with nine points while Erika Deloria scored six.