The loss will surely sting but silver marks Jaja Santiago's best finish for her V1 career in Japan so far.
A dream season ends in frustration for Jaja Santiago and JT Marvelous.
The NEC Red Rockets are back-to-back champions in the V.League Women’s Division 1, taking a sensational 27-25, 32-30, 16-25, 25-17 win over the top-ranked JT Marvelous in the one-game final Sunday.
NEC set up the win with the two clutch victories in the opening two sets as the Red Rockets ruin a perfect season for JT.
The JT Marvelous entered the final showdown with a 23-0 record, but would have to settle for second place.
Japan national team ace Sarina Koga had her way against JT, firing 26 points for NEC, 25 from attacks. Jaja finished with 13 points in the loss.
While the result was ultimately disappointing, silver marks Jaja Santiago’s highest finish in the V1, surpassing her bronze medal with the Saitama Ageo Medics in 2020. She won gold in the V Cup tournament in 2021.
The NEC Red Rockets are proving to be the playoff nemeses in Jaja’s career in Japan. NEC also eliminated Santiago’s Saitama Ageo Medics last year on the way to the Finals and the title.