Saitama players celebrate during a game in the Japan V.League. Photo from Saitama Ageo Medics
MANILA, Philippines—Saitama and Jaja Santiago had their three-game winning streak snapped as they faltered in their comeback bid against Hitachi, 25-23, 27-25, 20-25, 19-25, 15-7, in the 2021-22 Japan V.League season Sunday at Adastria Mito Arena in Ibaraki.
The Ageo Medics slipped to an 8-6 record for the sixth seed in the ladder while the Rivale improved to 6-8 at the 8th spot.
Lorenne Teixeira led Saitama with 25 points while Yuka Sato and Mami Uchiseto had 19 and 15 points, respectively.
Santiago had a quiet afternoon with six points for the Ageo Medics.
Ruriko Uesaka had 20 points for Hitachi while Miwako Nagauchi added 19 points.
Bryan Bagunas and Marck Espejo also didn’t fare any better in their matches as their teams fell in the men’s division.
FC Tokyo and Espejo fell to their third loss in four matches as they lost to Sakai, 25-23, 25-15, 24-26, 25-19, at Komazawa Olympic Park General Sports Ground Gymnasium in Tokyo.
The Blazers remained tied for the top spot in the standings with the Toray Arrows at 11-3 while FC Tokyo is at eighth with a 4-10 card.
Jonas Kvalen and Yuma Nagatomo had 16 and 15 points, respectively to lead Tokyo while Espejo had four points.
Oita Miyoshi and Bagunas suffered their fifth straight defeat losing to Suntory 21-25, 25-17, 25-23, 25-14 at Kumamoto Prefectural Gymnasium.
The Weisse Adler stayed at the ninth seed of the standings at 2-12 while the Sunbirds improved to 10-4 at the third spot.
Emerson Rodriguez led Oita Miyoshi with 20 points while Bagunas added 14 points.