The Saitama Ageo Medics eliminate Jia De Guzman and the Denso Airybees in the V1 quarterfinals..
You couldn’t script this one even if you wanted to.
As Jaja Santiago’s march to an elusive V1 title continues, a major speed bump will be her former team in the Saitama Ageo Medics.
Saitama edged the Denso Airybees featuring Jia De Guzman Saturday, 25-21, 26-28, 25-18, 25-23, to set up a V.League Women’s Division 1 semis clash against Jaja Santiago and her JT Marvelous.
JT Marvelous have been waiting in the next round after earning a bye by virtue of being a top-2 team, their 22-0 record putting them in first.
Jaja eyes her first trip to the V1 title match, something she never did with the Ageo Medics. While with Saitama, Santiago did win a V1 bronze and a V Cup title, along with the first of her now two Best Blocker awards.
In her first two games against her former team, Jaja scored nine in a win last October 2023, then another 14 points in a four-set win back in January.
The third grudge match, with a Finals slot on the line, is set for Sunday, Feb. 25.