Now that they have gauged the power of Creamline, Kurashiki will focus on repeating their victory over the Cool Smashers come Sunday, with the biggest stakes on the line.
The Ablaze will enter the 2023 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference gold medal match unscathed after defeating Creamline in four sets, 25-20, 25-21, 18-25, 25-14, on Friday night. That victory handed the Cool Smashers their first defeat in the tournament. However, records will hold no value on Sunday, as it will be a one-game final that will determine the champions of the mid-season conference of the PVL.
“We really want to win on Sunday. This game showed us how we should play on Sunday,” said Kurashiki head coach Hideo Suzuki through an interpreter. “On Sunday, the team with the stronger resolve will emerge victorious.”
The championship bout is scheduled at 6:30 p.m. at the Philsports Arena in Pasig. Before that, F2 Logistics and Cignal will square off for the bronze medal at 4 p.m.
Asaka Tamaru, the leading scorer for the Ablaze in all their games, vowed to give her all in the winner-take-all battle on Sunday. She delivered 19 points to go with 11 excellent receptions while receiving help from Saki Tanabe and Yukino Yano, who contributed 15 and 13 points, respectively.
“I feel like we exposed some weak points in this game against Creamline, but in the final, I will give my all,” Tamaru said after conceding one set. “By any means, we will win on Sunday.”
Meanwhile, libero Kaoru Takahashi bore the brunt of the powerful attacks from the Cool Smashers, registering 16 digs and five excellent receptions. Creamline’s attack was balanced, with Jema Galanza as their top scorer with 12 points, followed by Risa Sato and Tots Carlos with 10 apiece.
Takahashi admitted that Sunday’s match will be tougher. However, she also expressed her determination to give everything so that they can return to Japan without any regrets.
“I know Sunday’s match will be more challenging, but I don’t want to have any regrets in this tournament, so we will do everything to win the championship,” Takahashi said.
