Games Thursday
(Araneta Coliseum)
4 p.m. – Cignal vs Kobe Shinwa
6:30 p.m. – PLDT vs ZUS Coffee
By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
A young and agile collegiate team from Kobe Shinwa University of Japan eliminated multi-titled Creamline from contention in the Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference with a hard-fought 27-25, 25-23, 23-25, 25-21 victory on Tuesday, August 26, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
The visiting crew displayed their fast-place style of play and matched the Cool Smashers’ offensive ferocity to prevail after two hours of action.
The win improved Kobe Shinwa’s standings to 2-1, while sending Creamline to its third loss in four games, joining Cignal (1-3) out of the finals race.
Four players finished in double figures of the Japanese squad, with Kokoro Yasuma erupting for 23 points including 21 kills. Ansu Ishikawa and Nagisa Komatsuda also exploded for 16 points apiece, while Reira Miyazaki chipped in 11 points.
The Cool Smashers attempted to stop Kobe Shinwa’s barrage of attacks, managing 13 blocks including six from Pangs Panaga, but the Japanese were too much to handle.
In fact, Panaga and Jema Galanza tried to put up a fight for Creamline by unloading 20 points apiece including a combined 32 kills, but their efforts were still not enough to even weaken Kobe Shinwa’s firepower.
Like in their previous matches, versatile setter Sakura Furuta orchestrated impressive players for their spikers and wound up with 21 excellent sets for Kobe Shinwa.
Later in the day, Chery Tiggo dumped ZUS Coffee 25-17, 25-17, 25-23, to strengthen its finals bid alive.
Cess Robles bannered the squad with 17 points, while Ara Galang and Renee Penafiel conspired for 17 points for the Crossover, who improved to 3-1 behind unbeaten PLDT High Speed Hitters (4-0).
The Thunderbelles fell to 0-3 and were out of contention.
