In a thrilling game at the Philsports Arena, Kurashiki Ablaze, a third-division Japanese team, made history by winning the 2023 PVL Invitational Conference and ousting the defending champions, Creamline Cool Smashers.
The nail-biting match came down to the wire, with Kurashiki securing a victory in the fifth set, 19-25, 25-23, 25-19, 20-25, and 15-13.
Both teams had outstanding performances, but Asaka Tamaru of Kurashiki stole the show with her outstanding performance. She hit a cold-blooded ace in the fifth set to seal her team's victory and astound the Creamline players. Saki Tanabe was another important contributor, scoring two goals that were essential to Kurashiki's victory.
Throughout the fight, Tots Carlos of Creamline and Tamaru traded hard blows. Kurashiki finally prevailed owing to Tamaru's remarkable performance, which helped them reach a perfect six-win record in the midseason tournament.
A foreign team won the PVL for the first time, depriving Creamline of a second consecutive Invitational Conference championship. With six titles won in nine appearances in the league finals, Creamline is the most successful club in league history.
Hideo Suzuki, the head coach of Kurashiki, praised Ricky Palou, the president of the PVL, for inviting his squad to the conference. He vowed that they would gladly accept an invitation to return the following season if asked, proving the effectiveness of their efforts.
Tamaru, who scored 29 points overall and had the ace that won the match, rightly stole the show. With 13 digs and 12 superb receptions, she also displayed her defensive skills. Kurashiki's setter, Kyoka Ohshima, who produced 19 excellent sets and contributed five points to the team's triumph, was chosen as the Finals MVP. Akane Hiraoka and Tots Carlos were the top scorers for their respective teams, but Kurashiki's close cooperation proved essential.
Carlos scored 27 points, had 20 catches, and had 10 digs to lead Creamline. Ced Domingo had 20 points, five blocks, and two aces to lead the Cool Smashers, and Galanza chipped in with 18 points. Creamline's title defense was hampered by Alyssa Valdez's underwhelming performance (six points) and setback due to an injury.
Both teams gave it their all on the court for the entire two hours and twenty minutes of the game. The PVL players from Japan rushed to celebrate their historic victory, which marked a turning point in PVL history.
Success for Kurashiki Ablaze is evidence of both their talent and the PVL's expanding global appeal. Fans can anticipate more exhilarating games and historic moments in the future as the league continues to draw outstanding players from across the world.