By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
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, although ZUS Coffee had 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.
