PVL: Japan’s Kurashiki eases previous Cignal to remain unbeaten

Kurashiki Ablaze throughout a recreation in opposition to the Cignal HD Spikers within the PVL Invitational Convention. MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.web

MANILA, Philippines — Kurashiki Ablaze swept the Cignal HD Spikers, 25-23, 25-16, 25-23, to remain unbeaten in two video games within the 2023 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Invitational Convention on Monday at Philsports Enviornment.

The third-division Japanese group remained dominant in its first recreation in opposition to a Filipino membership as group captain Kyoka Ohshima, who was sidelined Saturday after feeling beneath the climate, was a revelation for the Ablaze with 22 glorious units on high of three factors. Three of her teammates additionally equipped vital output, ending in double figures.

“Cignal is powerful and so they have a tall blocking sample. We tried to discover a option to evade their blocks. This recreation, we did nicely in spiking,” mentioned Kyoka via a translator after her group outclassed the HD Spikers in attacking, 55-33.

Asaka Tamaru, who made a rousing debut with 29 factors of their four-set win over Vietnam’s Kinh Bac-Bac Ninh, dropped 16 factors. Saya Taniguchi chipped in 11 factors, whereas Yukino Nano had 10 factors and displayed stellar flooring protection with 12 digs and eight glorious receptions serving to libero Kaoru Takahashi, who tallied 12 digs and 9 receptions.

“Cignal is a superb offensive group so we centered on our protection. It was a great recreation,” mentioned Japanese coach Hideo Suzuki.

Kurashiki rose to 2-0 behind semis chief and defending champion Creamline (3-0), whereas sending Cignal to the brink of lacking the ultimate with a 1-3 report as solely the highest two groups will advance to the championship recreation on July 30.

One other win of the Japanese membership in opposition to F2 Logistics (1-2) on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. will remove Cignal from the gold medal race.

The Ablaze erased an 8-13 deficit within the fourth as they scored six straight factors capped by Jacqueline Acuña’s web violation to take a 15-13 earlier than Ces Molina stopped the bleeding and compelled a decent duel. 

Asaka put Kurashiki on the verge of victory, 22-20, however the bench gamers of Cignal, Acuña and Basas scored three straight factors to steal the lead, 23-22. Backup spiker Saki Tanabe restored the order for the Japanese group with back-to-back essential assaults to achieve match level, 24-23, adopted by a expensive assault error from Acuña.

Molina was the lone vivid spot for the HD Spikers with 12 factors, 10 digs, and eight receptions. However the Kurashiki coach was nonetheless impressed by Rachel Anne Daquis’ recreation regardless of solely scoring 5 within the first two units and setter Gel Cayuna, who had 15 glorious units.

“The setter is sweet and Rachel is just not solely stunning but additionally good at taking part in,” mentioned Hideo.

Cignal could have two days to relaxation earlier than going through Kinh Bac-Bac Ninh of Vietnam on Thursday.

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