FORMER Ateneo outside hitter Jillian Santos has brought her act to the United States and is now playing for the University of Illinois at Chicago, a Division 1 school.
Santos, 19, went to Ateneo last year after graduating from University of Santo Tomas High School. However, she was a reserve for the Blue Eagles during UAAP Season 82 as she recovered from an injury.
The UIC Flames, playing in the Missouri Valley Conference, are off to a fast start, having beaten South Dakota and NJIT in the NIU tourney.
Jill and her brother Jericho, who was enrolled at the Ateneo High School, had to go to America 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. We saw that my brother had opportunities and resources that would be beneficial for their future,” shared Jill.
“I wanted to try to continue my college degree here. I was able to speak with the coaching staff and was very fortunate to be given the chance to train and play for the university,” she added.
Jill 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 this stint that Jill 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 strive for the best,” said Mascariñas. “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,” added the sports patron.
