FORMER National University (NU) standout Jaja Santiago is making the most of her stint in the Japan V.League by ranking fourth in the best spiker category of the country’s premier volleyball league.
Santiago, who formed NU’s “twin towers” with sister Dindin Santiago-Manabat, recorded a 47.6 attack success with the Saitama Ageo Medics, one of the 12 teams in the league.
Her team is currently third in Group B of the tournament with a 12-6 won-lost record.
In her most recent match, Santiago helped the Medics past Group top team Toray Arrows in straight sets, 25-23, 25-21, 25-20, and extend their win streak to four.
Santiago also scored 19 points on 15-of-22 attack efficiency, and also made four blocks in the Medics’ losing match to second placed JT Marvelous, 25-21, 25-18, 26-28, 22-25, 13-15.
Santiago lagged Japan’s Kaha Ono in the best spiker race with a 49.7 percent success rate, followed by JT Marvelous’s US import Andrea Carrey Drews (48.9) and Blue Cats’ Jeniffer Doris (47.7).
Bryan Bagunas is also in his best form although his team, Oita Miyoshi Weisse Alder, lost to Nagoya Wolfdogs, 25-19, 26-28, 25-23, 24-26, 25-23. He scored 21 points, three blocks and three aces. It was his second game after his stint in the 30th Southeast Asian Games.
The NU men’s standout powered Oita Miyoshi Weisse Alder past FC Tokyo in straight sets, 25-23, 25-22, 25-18, in his opening game. He led Oita with 19 attacks, one block with two aces.