Japanese team books finals ticket vs defending champion Creamline; Cignal settles for battle for third berth
For the second time straight edition, defending champion Creamline is set to face a visiting foreign team in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Invitational Conference finale.
*Kurashiki Ablaze. (PVL Images)*
Japan’s Kurashiki Ablaze claimed the gold medal ticket after turning back PLDT, 25-15, 23-25, 25-14, 25-23, on Thursday night, July 27, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City. Kurashiki nearly squandered an eight-point lead in the fourth set, but managed to come to its senses just before PLDT could force a sudden death. The Japanese team climbed 4-0 in the standings and is still due for a semis battle against the Cool Smashers before a separate championship clash in the midyear tilt. For the fourth straight time, it was Tamaru Asaka, who delivered the game-winning performance after dropping 30 points highlighted by 28 attacks and two blocks. Tanabe Saki Hiraoka Akane joined hands for 26 points to help Asaka to clinch the finals berth. Royse Tubino, for her part, paced the High Speed Hitters with an equally powerful performance of 23 points on 21 kills while Mae Ceballos added 15 points of her own. The High Speed Hitters slid 2-3 in the standings, leaving their podium hopes in balance depending on the outcome of the remaining semis fixtures. In the next play, Cignal assured itself a podium berth after keeping the other foreign club team Kinh Bac-Bac Ninh winless in four games, 25-13, 25-15, 25-20. Ces Molina powered the HD Spikers with 19 points on 16 attacks, one block and two service aces to finish the carryover standings with a 2-3 win-loss record. Huong Nguyen and Xuan Le paced the Vietnamese team with 12 and 10 points, respectively, in the losing cause as they remain on the losing column.
*Kurashiki Ablaze. (PVL Images)*
Japan’s Kurashiki Ablaze claimed the gold medal ticket after turning back PLDT, 25-15, 23-25, 25-14, 25-23, on Thursday night, July 27, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City. Kurashiki nearly squandered an eight-point lead in the fourth set, but managed to come to its senses just before PLDT could force a sudden death. The Japanese team climbed 4-0 in the standings and is still due for a semis battle against the Cool Smashers before a separate championship clash in the midyear tilt. For the fourth straight time, it was Tamaru Asaka, who delivered the game-winning performance after dropping 30 points highlighted by 28 attacks and two blocks. Tanabe Saki Hiraoka Akane joined hands for 26 points to help Asaka to clinch the finals berth. Royse Tubino, for her part, paced the High Speed Hitters with an equally powerful performance of 23 points on 21 kills while Mae Ceballos added 15 points of her own. The High Speed Hitters slid 2-3 in the standings, leaving their podium hopes in balance depending on the outcome of the remaining semis fixtures. In the next play, Cignal assured itself a podium berth after keeping the other foreign club team Kinh Bac-Bac Ninh winless in four games, 25-13, 25-15, 25-20. Ces Molina powered the HD Spikers with 19 points on 16 attacks, one block and two service aces to finish the carryover standings with a 2-3 win-loss record. Huong Nguyen and Xuan Le paced the Vietnamese team with 12 and 10 points, respectively, in the losing cause as they remain on the losing column.