FILE – Jaja Santiago for Saitama. AGEO MEDICS PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines— Saitama and Jaja Santiago are on the cusp of glory as they need just one more win to claim the Japanese V Cup title against NEC.
The Ageo Medics are carrying a 13-game winning streak with five of those victories in the V Cup itself.
A respectable club, Saitama finished fifth in the Japan V.League Division 1 with Santiago as its ASEAN import.
Santiago helped the Ageo Medics with 11 points in their five-set semifinal win over reigning V.League champion JT Marvelous, 25-21, 25-22, 18-25, 18-25, 15-13, on Saturday.
The 6-foot-5 Philippine international tallied seven blocks and four kills in the semifinal match.
A victory makes Santiago the first Filipina to win a volleyball title outside of the Philippines.
Several Filipino players have already played overseas including Santiago’s older sister Dindin Santiago-Manabat, Alyssa Valdez, Bryan Bagunas, and Marck Espejo.