By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Filipina volleyball sensation Jaja Santiago is still on fire and helped the Saitama volleyball club sweep Kurobe in back-to-back meetings over the weekend, 25-14, 26-24, 25-12, in the 2021-22 Japan V. League Division 1 women’s league.
The towering Asian import imposed her will defensively in the middle area after tallying four clean blocks while scoring 10 points in the huge win.
It seemed like Santiago hasn’t lost a step during their win last Saturday after putting up 16 kills and five blocks that kicked off their weekend sweep against Kurobe.
The total nine blocks in two days boosted her bid for the tournament’s best defensive player and is the current no. 2 leader in blocks behind Natsumi Watabiki.
Santiago’s consistent all-around performance helped her team rack up their fifth win over a span of six matches and improved their overall record to 10-6.
If Santiago and Saitama will continue their hot streak, they have the chance to enter the top three ranking in the league.
Their next match will be up against the offensive-oriented Himeji volleyball squad on January 29, 2022 at the Wink Gymnasium.
Meanwhile, Mylene Paat, another Filipina playing as an Asian import in the Thailand professional league, helped her club Nakhon Ratchasima QminC crush Kasetsart, 25-17, 25-17, 25-15.
