UNSTOPPABLE. Kokoro Yasuma of Kobe Shinwa University scores against Abigail Maraño and Ara Galang of Chery Tiggo in the PVL Invitational Conference at the Araneta Coliseum on Friday (Aug. 29, 2025). Kobe Shinwa won, 21-25, 17-25, 26-24, 25-22, 15-6, to arrange a title duel with PLDT. (PVL photo)
MANILA – Kobe Shinwa University pulled off a stunning 21-25, 17-25, 26-24, 25-22, 15-6 victory over Chery Tiggo at the Araneta Coliseum to reach the finals of the PVL Invitational Conference Friday night.
Nagisa Komatsuda sizzled with 31 points off 29 attacks and two blocks while Kokoro Yasuma added 16 points, including 14 attacks as the Japanese squad claimed victory after two hours and 16 minutes.
Arisu Ishikawa and Riera Miyazaki chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively for Kobe Shinwa, which outgunned Chery Tiggo, 73-55 in total attacks.
"In the first and second sets, I was very nervous, so I couldn't deliver good balls to my spikers. That's why Chery Tiggo got so many kill blocks," team captain Sakura Furuta explained through an interpreter.
"But by the third set, I found my rhythm and got my game back. That's when the quality of our setting improved. I'm just thankful we were able to win," Furuta, who delivered 33 excellent sets and three points, said.
Kobe Shinwa will face PLDT in the finals.
Meanwhile, Ara Galang led Chery Tiggo with 19 points, including 16 attacks.
Princess Robles chipped in 18 points off 13 attacks, three blocks, and two aces followed by Imee Hernandez with 17 points, anchored by five blocks.
Chery Tiggo will face Creamline in the battle for third place.
The Cool Smashers, led by Jema Galanza, prevailed over the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles, 25-15, 25-18, 25-21.
"This was our last game in the prelims, so dapat ibigay lang namin ang best namin (we have to give our best) for the momentum for the battle for third," she said.
Galanza earned the Best Player of the Game award for her brilliant performance of 18 points, 13 receptions, and 11 digs.
Team captain Alyssa Valdez and Michelle Gumabao scored nine points each, while Jeanette Panaga had seven points.
ZUS Coffee, which ended its campaign at 0-5, was paced by AC Miner with15 points, followed by Kate Santiago and Riza Nogales with nine and seven points, respectively. (PNA)
}
0 Mga Komento