Jaja Santiago and the Saitama Ageo Medics kissed their title hopes farewell in the Japan V. Premier League Division 1 on Saturday.
The Ageo Medics succumbed to JT Marvelous in straight sets, 16-25, 18-25, 22-25, in the do-or-die Final Four match.
Santiago ended up with 11 points nine attacks, a kill block, and an ace. Meanwhile, Croatian reinforcement Katarina Barun topped Saitama with 17 markers.
With the stinging loss, Ageo Medics have been relegated to the battle for third. There, they will collide with Denso Airybees.
Still, regardless of the result in the bronze medal match, Santiago made history with Ageo Medics.
The towering Filipina delivered the goods in a five-set escape act over NEC Red Rockets a week ago to help the Saitama-based squad barge into its first semifinals.
On the other hand, JT Marvelous will tussle with the Okayama Seagulls in the championship round on Sunday.
The Seagulls blurred Denso Airybees’ title hopes after a five-set 26-24, 25-14, 19-25, 23-25, 15-7, squeaker in the other semifinals pairing.
