Who is Jaja Santiago's Husband? Meet Taka Minowa, Kids, Family, Net Worth

Taka Minowa (born 11 November 1988, Age: 35 years old) is a Japanese volleyball coach and the husband of Filipino volleyball star Jaja Santiago. He is currently the head coach of the Nxled Chameleons, a new team in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) in the Philippines. He is also an assistant coach of the Japanese women’s national volleyball team.

Early Life and Education

Taka Minowa was born on November 11, 1988, in Sabae, Fukui, Japan. He grew up playing volleyball and was a member of the Fukui Prefectural High School volleyball team.

He graduated from the University of Tsukuba, where he studied physical education and sports science. He also played for the university’s volleyball team and won several championships.

Parents & Siblings

His father’s name is Takayuki Minowa, and his mother’s name is Yoko Minowa. They live in Sabae, Fukui, Japan, where Taka was born and raised. They are supportive of their son’s volleyball career and his marriage to Jaja Santiago. They often send him messages and gifts, especially on his birthday and anniversary. They also visited him and his wife in the Philippines in 2023.

He has a younger brother named Takumi Minowa, who is also a volleyball player. He plays for the University of Tsukuba, where Minowa graduated from. He is also a fan of anime and manga, like his brother. He sometimes joins Taka Minowa and Jaja Santiago on their video calls and chats with them. He also congratulated them on their engagement and wedding on social media.

He has a younger sister named Takako Minowa, who is a student and a model. She is very close to her brother and sister-in-law, and often comments on their posts. She also likes to travel and explore new places. She visited Taka and Jaja Santiago in Japan in 2022 and had a fun time with them.

Taka Minowa Wiki/Bio

NameTaka Minowa
Birth dateNovember 11, 1988
BirthplaceSabae, Fukui, Japan
NationalityJapanese
OccupationVolleyball coach
Current teamNxled Chameleons (PVL)
Previous teamSaitama Ageo Medics (V.League)
SpouseJaja Santiago
ChildrenNone
Net worth$500,000
Height5 feet 9 inches (175 cm)
Instagramtaka08minowa
Facebooktakayuki1111
Twittertaka_minowa
Homepagenewsunzip.com

Coaching career

After graduating from college, Taka Minowa pursued his passion for coaching volleyball. He became an assistant coach of the Saitama Ageo Medics, a professional women’s volleyball team in the Japan V.League. He helped the team win its first-ever V.League title in the 2020-2021 season. He also joined the coaching staff of the Japanese women’s national volleyball team in 2022 and participated in the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Cup for Women.

In 2023, Taka accepted the offer to coach the Nxled Chameleons, a newly formed team in the PVL in the Philippines. He said that he wanted to share his knowledge and experience with Filipino players and learn more about the Philippine volleyball culture. He also said that he was happy to coach in the home country of his wife, Jaja Santiago.

Marriage with Jaja Santiago

Taka Minowa met Jaja Santiago in 2018 when she joined the Saitama Ageo Medics as an import player. They fell in love and got engaged in August 2022. They got married in July 2023 in a private ceremony in Japan. Jaja Santiago is a Filipino volleyball player who plays for JT Marvelous, another V.League team. She is also a former member of the Philippine national volleyball team and a multiple-award winner in various local and international tournaments.

Taka Minowa and Jaja Santiago have no children yet, but they are planning to start a family soon. They are currently in a long-distance relationship, as Taka is coaching in the Philippines, while Jaja Santiago is playing in Japan. They said that they support each other’s careers and communicate regularly through video calls and social media.

Net worth

Taka Minowa’s net worth is estimated to be around $500,000, as of 2023. He earns his income from his coaching contracts and endorsements. He is also sponsored by Mizuno, a Japanese sports equipment and sportswear company.

Physical Appearance

Minowa’s height is 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm). He has a slim and athletic build. He has black hair and brown eyes. He often wears glasses and a cap.

Nxled Chameleons Win Two in a Row, But Coach Taka Minowa Is Not Satisfied

The Nxled Chameleons, one of the new teams in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference, have won their last two matches against the Gerflor Defenders and the Galeries Tower Highrisers. However, their Japanese coach Minowa is not happy with their performance and wants them to improve their skills and teamwork.

Nxled vs Gerflor: A Close Call

On November 7, Nxled faced Gerflor, another newcomer in the PVL, in a tight match that lasted for five sets. Nxled won the first set 25-23, but Gerflor bounced back in the second set 25-21. The third set was a nail-biter, with Nxled edging out Gerflor 28-26. Gerflor did not give up and forced a fifth set by winning the fourth set 25-22. In the deciding set, Nxled prevailed 15-13, thanks to the clutch plays of Judith Abil and Jho Maraguinot.

Abil, a former University of the East standout, scored 19 points, including four blocks and two aces, while Maraguinot, a former Ateneo de Manila University star, added 18 points, with 16 attacks and two blocks. They were supported by Lycha Ebon, who had 14 points, and Kamille Cal, who had 24 excellent sets.

Gerflor, on the other hand, was led by Jenny Gaviola, who had 21 points, and Jema Galanza, who had 20 points. They also got contributions from Mylene Paat, who had 15 points, and Ria Meneses, who had 12 points.

Nxled vs Galeries: A Dominant Display

On November 14, Nxled faced Galeries, another winless team in the PVL, in a match that showcased their offensive prowess. Nxled swept Galeries in three sets, 25-18, 25-14, 25-19, and improved their record to 2-5.

Nxled was unstoppable in the first set, with Abil and Maraguinot leading the charge. They continued their momentum in the second set, with Ebon and Cal joining the scoring spree. In the third set, Galeries tried to put up a fight, but Nxled was too strong and closed out the match with ease.

Abil and Maraguinot once again topped the scoring for Nxled, with 16 and 11 points, respectively. Ebon and Cal also had solid performances, with 10 and nine points, respectively. Cal also had 19 excellent sets, while Ivy Lacsina had four blocks.

Galeries, meanwhile, had no player in double figures, with Jerrili Malabanan and Remy Palma scoring nine points each. They also committed 24 errors, compared to Nxled’s nine.

Coach Taka’s Expectations

Despite winning two matches in a row, Nxled’s coach Taka Minowa was not satisfied with his team’s performance. He said that his team was still lacking in skills and teamwork and that they needed to work harder in training and in games.

He also said that he expected more from his players, especially from his guest players Abil and Maraguinot, who he said were not showing their full potential. He said that he wanted them to be more aggressive and confident, and to communicate more with their teammates.

He said that he hoped that his team would learn from their mistakes and improve their game, especially against the stronger teams in the PVL. He said that he wanted his team to be more consistent and competitive, and to challenge themselves to reach a higher level.

Trivia

  • Taka is fluent in English and Japanese. He is also learning Filipino, the native language of his wife.
  • He is a fan of anime and manga. He likes to watch Naruto, One Piece, and Dragon Ball. He also collects figurines and posters of his favorite characters.
  • Minowa is a foodie and loves to try different cuisines. He enjoys eating sushi, ramen, curry, and tempura. He also likes Filipino dishes, such as adobo, sinigang, and lechon. He said that his wife taught him how to cook some Filipino recipes.
  • Minowa is a devout Buddhist and follows the teachings of the Buddha. He meditates every morning and evening. He also visits temples and shrines whenever he can. He said that his faith helps him cope with the challenges and pressures of his coaching career.

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