MANILA – Kurashiki Ablaze of Japan recorded its second win in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League Invitational semifinals after a 25-23, 25-16, 25-23 victory over the Cignal HD Spikers on Monday night at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Asaka Tamaru spearheaded the offense with 16 markers, while Saya Taniguchi and Yukino Yano had 11 and 10, respectively, as the Ablaze improved to a perfect 2-0 win-loss record in the single-round robin semifinals round.
Kyoka Ohshima was named as the Player of the Game after registering 22 excellent sets and three points, while Saki Tanabe provided key hits to end up with six markers in a two-set stint for the Japan-based team.
“Happy and super enjoy with my first overseas game,” said Ohshima, who was not fielded in by coach Hideo Suzuki in their game against Kinh Bac-Bac Ninh of Vietnam last Saturday as she was still not in top form.
“We felt Cignal’s offense is strong so we focused on defense and it was a good game,” said Suzuki, whose squad had a tune up game with the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses over the weekend.
Frances Xinia Molina finished with 12 points but did not get enough support as Rachel Anne Daquis struggled with just five points as the HD Spikers dropped to 1-3 win-loss record.
Meanwhile, PLDT High Speed Hitters kept its finals hopes alive after a 25-23, 25-14, 25-23 sweep of Kinh Bac-Bac Ninh of Vietnam. The High Speed Hitters moved to solo third place with 2-2 slate, while Kinh Bac dropped to 0-2.
Honey Royse Tubino came away with 12 points while Ilongga Fiola Ceballos and Michelle Morente contributed 11 markers apiece and Aklanon Dell Palomata contributed seven markers in the win.
The High Speed Hitters survived a tight opening set battle with Kinh Bac before posting a walkaway win in the second frame. PLDT then pulled away midway in the third before quashing the Vietnamese late rally on Rachel Austero’s clutch hits.
“Happy for the game, nagawa naman yung pinag-planuhan naming vs Kinh Bac, also happy for the players who stepped up off the bench,” said High Speed Hitters head coach Rald Ricafort./PN
