By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Kurashiki Ablaze of Japan completed its Philippine invasion by dethroning Creamline, 19-25, 25-23, 25-19, 20-25, 15-13, and capturing the 2023 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference title on Sunday night, July 30.
Playing before an 8,000 animated crowd at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City, the Japanese spikers banked on the troika of Tamaru Asaka, Tanabe Saki and Akane Hiraoka in the pivotal moments to become the first foreign team in the league to win the crown.
Kurashiki Ablaze also finished its campaign with an unbeaten record including five wins in the semifinals to cap a dominant show.
Down 13-12 in the fifth set, Asaka and Saki shattered Creamline’s defense with down-the-line kills before Akane sealed the victory with a booming ace that left the Cool Smashers and their supporters in stunned silence.
Tamaru, who was later on adjudged Best Outside Spiker, sizzled throughout the two-hour, 20-minute match with 29 points, including 28 attacks – most of which destroyed Creamline’s tough defensive wall.
Four other players from Kurashiki Ablaze also erupted in twin figures – thanks to versatile setter Kyoka Ohshima, who was later on awarded with the Finals Most Valuable Player.
Akane pumped in 14 points including 13 hits, Saki chipped in 10 points, and Yukino Yano and Miho Kawamura contributed 11 points apiece.
For a moment, Creamline appeared on track in defending their crown after four straight points from Jema Galanza and Jia Morado gave them an 8-6 fifth-set upperhand.
But the Japanese were swift in countering their plays.
Both teams were relentless to the hilt, exchanging points to keep the game close, including a quick kill from Best Middle Blocker Ced Domingo that gave Creamline the 13-12 lead.
But it proved to be the Cool Smashers’ last stand as the Japanese finally took charge for the win.
Tots Carlos, who was later on named Best Opposite Spiker, and Domingo scored 27 and 20 points in a losing effort for the Cool Smashers, who settled for the runner-up honors for the third time. Alyssa Valdez managed only six points.
Meanwhile, Cignal’s Ces Molina was awarded the Conference MVP after emerging as the highest scoring local player in the semis.
Also winning individual honors were Molina’s teammate Gel Cayuna (Best Setter), F2 Logistics’ Majoy Baron (Best Middle Blocker), PLDT’s Kath Arado (Best Libero), and Asaka and Creamline’s Valdez (Best Outside Spikers).
