OUTSIDE hitter Jillian Santos has transferred from Ateneo to the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) and will play for UIC Flames play in the Missouri Valley Conference.
Santos, 19, went to Ateneo last year after graduating from University of Santo Tomas High School. She was a “COVID-19” reserve for the Lady Eagles in Season 82 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines as she recovered from an injury.
Santos and her brother Jericho, who is attending Ateneo High School, had to go to the US due to a family emergency. It was there where they were discovered.
“I went to the US to attend to an urgent family matter that led to a decision to relocate to the US,” Jillian Santos said. “We saw that my brother had opportunities and resources that would be beneficial for their futures.”
“I also wanted to try to continue my college degree here. I was then able to speak with the coaching staff and was very fortunate to be given the chance to train and play for the university.”
Jillian Santos and her dad Jeffrey are staunch supporters of Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3, even owning a team during the league’s competition in 2021, the Bocaue Homegrown Rice.
It was during the events that Jillian Santos and Chooks-to-Go President Ronald Mascariñas were able to form a mentorship relationship.
“When Jillian and her father would talk with me, I always noticed her hunger to be more and strive for the best,” Mascariñas said. “And now she is getting to achieve one of her goals which is to play in a Division I school.”
“We at Chooks-to-Go are proud of Jillian and we hope that when she returns, she gives back to our country and be part of the national team,” Mascariñas said.
Santos and the Flames began their season on Saturday, taking a 3-2 and 3-0 win over South Dakota State and NJIT in the NIU Tournament.