Kobe Shinwa University moved a step closer to the finals after dispatching Cignal, 25-7, 25-18, 19-25, 26-24, to set up a virtual playoff with Chery Tiggo for the last championship berth in the 2025 Premier Volleyball League Invitational on Thursday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Japanese squad overcame a third-set stumble and a tense fourth-set finish to improve to a 3-1 record, forcing a tie with Chery Tiggo for second place.
This sets up a winner-take-all clash against the Crossovers for the final PVL Finals slot on Friday at 4:00 PM, also at the Big Dome.
Down 21-23 in the fourth set against a Cignal side determined to recover from its lackluster start, Kobe Shinwa unleashed a blistering 5-1 finishing kick to seal the victory.
(C) PVL Images
“Before we came here, our target was really to reach the finals. When we get back to the hotel, we’ll already start reviewing Chery Tiggo’s game. The player I really noticed was their No. 1, Cess Robles — we’re being very careful with her because she’s the best in Chery Tiggo,” said Kobe Shinwa head coach Kiyokazu Yamamoto.
Nagisa Komatsuda continued her stellar campaign in the Invitational with 21 points built on 19 attacks, one block, and one ace, on top of 11 excellent receptions.
Komatsuda received strong support from her teammates as Arisu Ishikawa fired 15 points in just three sets of action. Meanwhile, Kokoro Yasuma and Reira Miyazaki contributed 12 and 11 points, respectively.
Team captain Sakura Furuta also delivered in the clutch, dishing out 22 excellent sets along with 11 excellent digs to anchor the victory.
On the other hand, Cignal bowed out of contention after finishing the eliminations with a 1-4 record, paving the way for Creamline to claim the last bronze medal slot.
(C) PVL Images
Rose Doria-Aquino posted a game-high 16 points on 11 attacks and five kill blocks to pace the HD Spikers. Erika Santos chipped in 11 points.
Vanie Gandler added nine points, 10 excellent digs, and 13 excellent receptions, while Jackie Acuña and Heather Guino-o each provided eight points off the bench.
Gel Cayuna tallied 18 excellent sets to go with two points, and Dawn Catindig finished with 10 excellent digs and 12 excellent receptions.
