Jaja Santiago’s Osaka Marvelous fell to defending champion NEC Red Rockets in a tightly contested match, 19-25, 25-19, 25-17, 23-25, 12-15, snapping their 11-game winning streak on Saturday in the 2024-25 Japan V.League at Culttz Kawasaki in Kanagawa.
Now known as Sachi Minowa in Japan, Santiago contributed 13 points for Osaka, including 11 attacks, one block, and one service ace. Despite four other Marvelous players scoring in double figures, their efforts fell short against a resilient NEC squad.
Yoshino Sato powered the Red Rockets with an impressive 27-point performance, built on 24 spikes, two service aces, and a block. Brazilian import Lorrayna Marys added 21 points to lead NEC to a joint third-place standing alongside Ageo Medics and Himeji, all with 14-7 records.
Lise Van Hecke led Osaka’s scoring with 22 points, while teammates Ameze Miyabe and Kotona Hayashi contributed 16 and 15 points, respectively. Despite the loss, Osaka remains at the top of the 14-team standings with a 17-4 record.
In another match, Denso Airybees saw its six-game winning streak come to an end, losing to PFU Bluecats in four sets, 27-25, 25-27, 19-25, 22-25. Filipino setter Jia de Guzman was sidelined again in Denso’s defeat. The Airybees maintain their hold on second place with an 18-5 record, while PFU improved to ninth at 9-14.
Meanwhile, Maddie Madayag’s Kurobe AquaFairies emerged victorious, defeating Toray Arrows in five sets, 25-19, 21-25, 25-20, 19-25, 15-11, to claim their eighth win in 23 matches. Madayag was utilized as a service specialist for the third consecutive game, appearing in the first and third sets.
Lena Stigrot led Kurobe’s charge with a stellar 29-point performance, including 26 spikes, two blocks, and an ace, while Akane Ukishima added 16 points.
In men’s V.League action, Marck Espejo’s Kubota Spears opened their 2025 campaign with a loss to Kinden Trinity Blitz, 22-25, 17-25, 25-19, 23-25. Espejo tallied four points in the defeat, converting three of his 10 spike attempts and adding one service ace.
Seinosuke Kyota spearheaded Kinden’s win with 18 points, while Yumi Takigawa and Daichi Inoue chipped in 11 points each. Despite the setback, Kubota remains in second place in the West Division with an 11-2 record, while Kinden improved to 10-3.
