MANILA – Jaja Santiago earned the nod the as first Filipina volleyball player to capture a medal of any color in a professional tournament outside the Philippines on Sunday afternoon.
The former National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs middle blocker was part of the Ageo Medics team that took home the bronze medal in the Japan V. Premier League Division 1 after defeating Denso Airybees in three straight-sets, 25-22, 25-22, 25-20.
The former national women’s volleyball team member pummeled 10 points off nine attacks and a block for the Saitama-based squad in the battle for third place that lasted almost an hour and a half.
This was Santiago’s first podium finish since playing as reinforcement for the team in 2018.
Santiago’s fellow import Katarina Barun of Croatia spearheaded the offensive onslaught with 22 attacks laced with a pair of kill blocks, while Japanese hitter Yuri Yoshino finished with 16 markers.
The Ageo Medics flashed its deadly form on Sunday afternoon despite a stinging loss against JT Marvelous a day ago in the semifinals for the team’s best finish in years.
This is the first time Saitama has made the podium since the 2014-2015 season of the V. Premier League. It is also a huge leap from its seventh place finish last season./PN
