After a marathon five-setter yesterday, Jaja Santiago and Saitama made quick work of Okayama, 25-16, 25-15, 25-22, in the 2021-22 Japan V.League Division 1 women’s tournament at Kasaoka Gymnasium, Sunday.
The 6-foot-5 Filipina import contributed from all over the floor, getting six attacks, two block kills, and two service aces to end with 10 points.
After quick starts in the first two frames, the third set proved to be different.
It was a seesaw battle that saw Okayama take the lead 22-20 after three straight hits from Nagase Sora, Yuri Takanagi, and an error from Saitama.
However, Mami Uchiseto, Yuka Sato, and Kyoko Aoyagi joined hands for five consecutive hits to will Ageo Medics to the straight-sets win.
Tamari Yamaguchi topscored for Saitama with 14 points, all from attacks, on a 51.9-percent rate.
Aoyagi managed 12 points, while Uchiseto and Sato got 11 points apiece as Ageo Medics rose to 2-0.
Nobody scored double figures for the Seagulls, as middle blocker Mayu Oikawa tallied eight points.
Syuka Kaneda – who exploded for 28 big points yesterday – saw himself held to just six points.
Ageo Medics will battle two-time defending champions JT Marvelous on Saturday, Oct. 23, 12:00 PM, at Higashiyama Gymnasium in Kyoto.
