MANILA – Alyja Daphne “Jaja” Santiago and Saitama Ageo Medics stayed perfect in the 2021-2022 Japan V.League season, posting a 25-16, 25-15, 25-22 straight set triumph over Okayama Seagulls on Sunday at the Kasaoka Gymnasium.
The 6-foot-5 Santiago finished the match with 10 points on six attacks, two blocks and two service aces.
The Ageo Medics finished on top of the standings with 2-0 win-loss slate.
Tamari Yamaguchi topscored for the Ageo Medics with 14 points, all from attacks. Kyoko Aoyagi managed 12 points while Mami Uchiseto and Yuka Sato got 11 points apiece.
Unlike in their 28-30, 26-24, 23-25, 25-13, 15-11 escape over the Seagulls on Saturday evening, Ageo Medics had a better showing on Sunday. They jumped to early leads in the first two sets to comfortably build a two-set lead over Okayama.
Okayama, however, showed some fight in the third set. They hanged on to a 22-20 lead. Saitama retaliated with five straight points from Uchiseto, Sato and Aoyagi to complete a straight set win.
Nobody scored double figures for the Seagulls as middle blocker Mayu Oikawa tallied eight points, while Syuka Kaneda contributed six points after exploding for 28 markers during their Saturday night loss.
In the men’s division, Bryan Bagunas failed to wield the Oita Miyoshi Weisse Alder to its second consecutive win as they were beaten by Sakai Blazers, 25-18, 25-18, 25-18 on Sunday at the Nippon Steel Sakai Gymnasium.
The former National University Bulldogs star ended up with just 10 points, on seven attacks, two service aces and a block, as the Oita Miyoshi ended its opening weekend campaign with 1-1 win-loss slate.
The 6-foot-5 national men’s volleyball team mainstay Bagunas, who on his second tour of duty with his team, scored 22 points in Oita Miyoshi’s 25-19, 25-20, 21-25, 28-26 win over Sakai on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Marck Espejo and FC Tokyo failed to sustain their strong start as they were beaten by reigning champs Suntory Sunbirds, 23-25, 23-25, 25-20, 29-27, 15-12. FC Tokyo dropped to 0-2 slate after also losing to the same team on Saturday./PN
