Jaja Santiago’s Saitama made it back-to-back wins after making quick work of PFU, 26-24, 25-19, 25-21, in the 2021-22 V.League Division 1 women’s tournament, Sunday at the Saitama Prefectural Budokan.
The 6-foot-5 Pinay import was efficient in the win with a 53.8 percent spiking rate. She went 7-of-13 to go with two blocks for nine points.
Santiago is currently the third-most efficient spiker in the 12-team league while also having the most total blocks so far. She joins Thai import Hattaya Bamrungsuk of Toyota with 59 apiece.
Ageo Medics’ other import Lorenne Teixeira supplied 12 points off nine attacks and three blocks as well.
Meanwhile, the trio of Yuka Sato, Kyoko Aoyagi, and Mami Uchiseto led the locals anew, combining for 28 points.
With Saitama winning two straight and the Bluecats dropping two as well, the former is two full games ahead of the latter in the standings.
The Ageo Medics are at 13-8 for solo sixth place while PFU is at 11-10 for seventh.
Making it to the Final Three is also not too tall a task as the Ageo Medics are just 2.5 games behind third spot NEC at 15-5 with nine games left in their schedule.
Cuban reinforcement Melissa Valdes paced the Bluecats with 16 points, all from attacks.
Vietnamese import Tran Thi Thanh Thúy scattered 12 points on six spikes, four blocks, and two service aces for 12 points.
Santiago and her squad look to continue their uphill climb on Saturday against 11th seed Himeji at 12:05 PM (Manila time) at the Wink Gymnasium.
