Jaja Santiago (Sachi Minowa) is one victory away from her first Japan SV.League championship after the Osaka Marvelous swept the NEC Red Rockets in their Finals opener.
Sachi Minowa (Jaja Santiago) and the Osaka Marvelous are now just one win away from capturing the Japan SV.League women's title after a dominant straight-sets victory over two-time defending champions NEC Red Rockets Kawasaki in Game 1 of the best-of-three Finals.
Backed by a raucous crowd of nearly 3,000 at the Ariake Arena, the Marvelous dismantled the Red Rockets, 25-14, 25-10, 25-21, to draw first blood in the championship series on Friday, May 2.
Belgian import Lise Van Hecke led the way with 16 points, while Minowa starred on both ends with four blocks en route to 12 markers.
[ALSO READ: New FIVB rule change could keep Jaja Santiago from playing for Japan's national team, says new AVC president Tats Suzara]
Team captain Mizuki Tanaka and Kotona Hayashi also chipped in with 10 and 11 points, respectively, in a balanced scoring effort for Osaka.
NEC struggled to keep up, with no player hitting double digits. Substitute Yukiko Wada top-scored with nine points.
Minowa, who is set to leave Osaka after the season, is eyeing her first title in Japan's premier league. Notably, Minowa and the Marvelous went 23-1 last season with the lone loss coming to NEC in the title game.
Osaka can clinch the championship in Game 2 Saturday at 5:40 p.m, again at the Ariake Arena.