MANILA – Jaja Santiago and Saitama Ageo Medics made a short work of PFU Bluecats, 26-24, 25-19, 25-21, in the 2021-22 V.League Division 1 women’s tournament at the Saitama Prefectural Budokan.
The Chery Tiggo Crossovers star scattered nine points, on seven attacks and two blocks, as the Ageo Medics made it back-to-back wins for a 13-8 slate.
Santiago is currently the third-most efficient spiker in the league while also having the most total blocks so far at 59, tying Thai import Hattaya Bamrungsuk of Toyota.
Lorenne Teixeira spearheaded the offense for the Ageo Medics with12 points, on nine attacks and three blocks, while Yuka Sato, Kyoko Aoyagi, and Mami Uchiseto combined for 28 points.
Cuban reinforcement Melissa Valdes finished with 16 points, Vietnamese import Tran Thi Thanh Thúy scattered 12 points on six spikes, four blocks, and two service aces for 12 points as PFU dropped to 11-10.
Santiago and the Ageo Medics will aim for its third consecutive victory as they battle 11th seed Himeji at 12:05 PM (Philippine time) today at the Wink Gymnasium.
Meanwhile, Bryan Bagunas and Oita Miyoshi Weisse Adler’s games for the weekend have been cancelled as more players testes positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
“A large number of athletes were instructed to designate close contacts and suspend team activities,” the team said. “As a result, March 5th and 6th games are cancelled.”
The Weisse Adler, currently at ninth place with 5-22 win-loss record, were supposed to take on Suntory Sunbirds this weekend at Kodama Osu Arena.
Prior to the cancellation of their games, Bagunas and Oita Miyoshi suffered its sixth consecutive loss after being swept by JTEKT, 25-15, 25-20, 25-18, last February 26./PN
