Jaja Santiago and Saitama evaded disaster, surviving second-ranked Toray in five sets, 25-19, 25-17, 22-25, 16-25, 15-11, in the 2021-22 V.League Division 1 women’s tournament, Saturday at the Saitama Prefectural Budokan.
The Filipina import continued her rise to being one of the best blockers in the league with four rejections. She also got seven attacks and a service ace to end with 12 points.
Ageo Medics cruised in the first two sets, easily taking 25-19 and 25-17 victories to move on the verge of a sweep, 2-0.
But the Arrows planned otherwise. They extended the match after taking a 25-22 third frame, before a dominant 25-16 fourth period to force a decider.
In the fifth set, Santiago’s squad was the more composed and steadier team to avoid a complete collapse, 15-11.
Saitama rose to 12-8 to remain at sixth place – just 2.5 games behind third-running NEC at 14-5. The top three teams will advance to the playoffs.
Brazilian import Lorenne Teixeira gave one of her best performances this season with 27 points on 23 spikes, three aces, and a block.
Mami Uchiseto added 15 points, while Yuka Sato supplied 10 points as well for the victors.
League top scorer Jana Kulan paced Toray with 28 points founded on 23 hits, three blocks, and two aces.
Mayu Ishikawa chipped in 16 points as the Arrows slid to 15-5, still at second.
Ageo Medics will battle PFU, which is just below them at 11-8, tomorrow at 2:00 PM (Manila time) at the same Saitama venue.
