Kurashiki Ablaze asserts might vs Cignal, nears PVL finals

Games Tuesday
(PhilSports Arena)

4 p.m. – Kinh Bac-Bac Ninh vs Creamline
6:30 p.m. – F2 vs Kurashiki Ablaze

MANILA, Philippines – Kurashiki Ablaze overpowered Cignal, 25-23, 25-16, 25-23, on Monday to remain unscathed and inch closer to claiming a finals ticket in the Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference.

It was pure hard work for the Japanese side as it played with a rock-solid floor defense that helped the visiting club stymy the HD Spikers’ every attempt at turning things around in the latter’s favor.

Kurashiki had almost everything covered with 62 excellent digs, including 12 each from Yano Yukino and Takahashi Kaoru and 22 receptions including nine from Kaoru.

Tamaru Asaka led the Japanese attackers with 16 points while Taniguchi Saya and Yukino poured in 11 and 10 hits, respectively.

Kurashiki skipper Ohshima Kyoka later said they were amazed by the crowd turnout and support.

“We really felt happy because in Japan we don’t have this kind of audience, it was enjoyable,” said Kyoka through an interpreter.

It was a heartbreaking defeat for the HD Spikers — their third in four outings — as they were eliminated from the finals race and would have to fight for third place at the most.

Cignal had its chances to extend the set though as it turned a three-point deficit into a 23-22 lead in the third set, thanks mainly to Jacqueline Acuna coming off the bench and delivering the crucial hits.

It turned out the last for the HD Spikers though as the Japanese were quick to adjust in scoring the last three points that sealed it.

Meanwhile, Creamline guns for the first finals berth as it tackles Kinh Bac-Bac Ninh of Vietnam today also at the Pasig venue.

The Cool Smashers zoomed to the top to start the semifinals with a pristine 3-0 record and, if they could hurdle the Vietnamese in their 4 p.m. encounter, would catapult them straight to the knockout finals on July 30.

F2 Logistics, in contrast, is in a must-win game against Kurashiki Ablaze at 6:30 p.m.

A win for the Cargo Movers, who possess a 1-2 slate, would breathe life to their flagging finals hopes.

Creamline is expected to draw strength anew on team captain Alyssa Valdez, who has carried the torch for the proud franchise in the last two five-set wins over F2 and Cignal the past week.

In that crucial stretch, the former national team skipper and two-time Philippine team flag-bearer to the Southeast Asian Games averaged 19.5 points, mostly scored late in the match.

“I wouldn’t have done it without my teammates, they inspire me,” said Valdez.