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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Volleyball devider Kobe Shinwa U notches first PVL win; PLDT, Chery Tiggo prevail

Kobe Shinwa U notches first PVL win; PLDT, Chery Tiggo prevail

Published Aug 23, 2025 03:25 pm

At A Glance

  • Versatile setter Sakura Furuta anchored the Japanese collegiate squad with her smart playmaking, dishing out 18 excellent sets and keeping the Thunderbelles' defense guessing by distributing the ball evenly across attackers en route to their first win in the tournament.
Japan's Kobe Shinwa University notches its first win in the PVL Invitational Conference. (PVL)
Japan's Kobe Shinwa University notches its first win in the PVL Invitational Conference. (PVL)
Japan’s Kobe Shinwa University showcased its fast-paced style of play and dismantled ZUS Coffee, 25-14, 27-25, 25-17, to kick off its campaign in the 2025 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City on Saturday, Aug. 23.
Versatile setter Sakura Furuta anchored the Japanese collegiate squad with her smart playmaking, dishing out 18 excellent sets and keeping the Thunderbelles' defense guessing by distributing the ball evenly across attackers en route to their first win in the tournament.
Head coach Kiyokazu Yamamoto shuffled his lineup throughout the 69-minute match to find the right combinations, with Nagisa Komatsuda leading the charge with 14 kills for 15 points. Kokoro Yasuma also made an impact, firing 12 points in just two sets of action.
Despite the Thunderbelles' tough net defense, Kobe Shinwa’s relentless attack from all angles produced 57 kills, far outpacing ZUS Coffee’s seven blocks.
Defense also played a crucial role in the Japanese squad’s sweep, as Asumi Ishiki and Komatsuda combined for 22 of the team’s 37 excellent digs -- nearly matching ZUS Coffee’s total of 24.
ZUS Coffee almost stole the second set, but an attack error from Wielyn Estoque and a kill from Yasuma won it for Kobe Shinwa.
Since then, the Japanese dictated the pace in the third frame.
Kate Santiago scored 13 points, while Estoque added 10 points, in a losing cause for the Thunderbelles.
Later in the day, PLDT crushed Cignal, 25-19, 25-13, 25-22, to seize the solo lead with a 3-0 mark, factoring in their carryover win against Creamline in the On Tour semifinals.
Savi Davison continued to unleash her prowess by drilling in 17 points, while Alleiah Malaluan and Kim Dy added 12 and 11 points, respectively.
Cignal fell to 0-3.
Chery Tiggo also marched into the winning column after outlasting fancied Creamline, 25-20, 24-26, 21-25, 25-17, 17-15, for a 2-1 record.
Ara Galang led the Crossovers with 20 points, but it was Renee Penafiel who stepped up in the pivotal moments in the fifth frame and went on to finish with 18 points.
The Cool Smashers slipped to 1-2.
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