The 26-year-old Santiago scored nine points on six attacks and three blocks but it was not enough to give the team’s victory just like when she delivered double digits in last Sunday’s playoffs. 

With Koga’ 19 spikes and a pair of blocks, finishing with game-high 21 points, NEC sent Ageo to 11-8 in the team standings.

Combined with Haruyo Shimamura’s 14 points, Red Rockets stayed in third place and improved to 14-5 standing. 

Saitama failed to extend their victory against Denso Airybees, but they tried their best as Mami Uchiseto scored seven markers while Yuka Sato and Kyoko Aoyagi combined for 13 points.

The last set was a tiring one as Ageo drilled their way back to extend the score past 25 but NEC does not want to extend the game anymore and ended Ageo’s ordeal with a 30-28 lead, finishing the game in one hour and 29 minutes.

Santiago and Co. will try to bounce back as they will face the No.2 Toray (15-4) on Saturday in their fourth straight home game at 12 pm (Philippine time).