MANILA – Jaja Santiago and Saitama Ageo Medics rolled to their fourth straight win in the 2021-2022 Japan V.League by sweeping Kurobe Aqua Fairies, 25-14, 25-18, 25-19 at the Victorina Wink Gym.
The national women’s volleyball team mainstay had six blocks and five attacks for 11 points as the Ageo Medics improved to a 15-8 record for fifth place.
Yuka Sato spearheaded the offense for the Ageo Medics with 12 points, on nine attacks and three aces, while Brazilian import Lorenne Teixeira chipped in 10 markers.
American reinforcement Merete Lutz was the lone bright spot for the Aqua Fairies with 15 points, on 12 attacks, two blocks and an service ace.
For the Aqua Fairies, this was their 20th defeat in 23 matches as they dropped further in the standings.
Santiago and the Ageo Medics returned to action today as they aim for their fifth consecutive win against the NEC Red Rockets at the Saitama Prefectural Budokan.
Meanwhile, Marck Espejo and the FC Tokyo struggled in their return to the 2021-22 V.League Division 1 men’s tournament after a 19-25, 17-25, 19-25 loss to Sakai Blazers.
The former Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles star was limited to just six points on five attacks and a service ace as FC Tokyo slumped to 8-17 to remain at eighth place.
Sharone Vernon-Evans led the Blazers with 20 points, Yuki Higuchi added 14 points scattered through 12 hits, a block, and a service ace as they rose atop the standings at 21-8.
FC Tokyo was a bit rusty in their return to volleyball action after the team was sidelined for two weeks due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) protocols./PN
