Kobe Shinwa University made a stunning debut in the 2025 Premier Volleyball League Invitational, overpowering an undermanned ZUS Coffee, 25-14, 27-25, 25-17, on Saturday afternoon at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Kate Santiago and Wielyn Estoque tried to rally ZUS Coffee in the second set, putting up impressive performances to even the score, but Kobe Shinwa remained composed under pressure.
Renee Mabilangan’s service ace, aided by the net, gave the Thunderbelles a 25-24 set point.
However, Nagisa Komatsuda responded with a smart play off a floating ball to tie it. Estoque’s subsequent attack sailed out, allowing Kokoro Yasuma to finish off the block and give Kobe Shinwa a 2-0 lead.
Kobe Shinwa carried that confidence into the third set, even after rotating in four new players, and secured the win in just 77 minutes.
(C) PVL Images
“In the first set, the players were a little nervous, but I think it was good that we found our rhythm later on. Overall, it was a good game,” said KSU head coach Kiyokazu Yamamoto, through an interpreter, after his team overcame an early 1-5 deficit.
Komatsuda led the Japanese side with 15 points and eight excellent digs, while Yasuma added 12 points in just two sets of play. Team captain Sakura Furuta contributed 18 excellent sets, with every player scoring at least one point in the dominant win.
Despite being out-blocked 1-7, Kobe Shinwa more than compensated with a commanding 57-31 advantage in spikes.
(C) PVL Images
ZUS Coffee, a last-minute replacement after Kurashiki Ablaze withdrew due to coaching issues, was missing 10 players who are still on vacation and expected to return next week.
The absent stars included Jovelyn Gonzaga, Alyssa Eroa, Cloanne Mondoñedo, Chinnie Arroyo, and Alas Pilipinas member Thea Gagate, along with Fiola Ceballos, Mycah Go, AC Miner, Caroline Santos, and Danivah Aying.
Santiago led the Thunderbelles with 13 points, while Estoque added 10 points and seven excellent digs.
Both teams will return to action on Monday at the same Pasig venue, with Kobe Shinwa facing PLDT at 4:00 PM, followed by ZUS Coffee taking on Cignal at 6:30 PM.
