Party crashers
Kobe Shinwa University will continue showcasing the highly effective Japanese brand of volleyball in a game for all the PVL Invitational marbles, which the guest team doggedly worked for in a reverse sweep of Chery Tiggo on Friday night.
With their fast-paced, technically precise play stunted in the first two sets, the young Japanese patiently dug deep to prevent an all-Filipino finale with a come-from-behind 21-25, 17-25, 26-24, 25-22, 15-6 win over the Crossovers at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Nagisa Komatsuda erupted for 31 points to lead Kobe back from the veritable grave, as playmaker and skipper Sakura Furuta paced her squad with 33 excellent sets that helped seal a duel against the unbeaten PLDT for the crown at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday also at the Big Dome in Cubao.
Early in their KO match, it looked like the Crossovers were headed for a second straight title clash with the High Speed Hitters, only to fail to hold off the Japanese when it mattered.
And after being swept by PLDT in their very first game on PH soil more than a week back, Kobe Shinwa has an idea on how to bounce back.
“PLDT has strong defense, a fast setter, and quick attacks,” Furuta said through a translator. “Our plan is to break their defense with aggressive serving. In our last game, we lost all close sets because of some errors, that’s something we’ll work out.
“We believe we still have a chance to win,” she said. “We’re really happy you invited us to the PVL Invitational Conference. It’s a great chance to test how good volleyball is in the Philippines and to gain experience before going back to Japan.”
The Japanese will be squaring off with a squad that hasn’t lost in 12 games spread over two tournaments. The High Speed Hitters also have a lot of experience playing high-stakes games, with Savi Davison, Mika Reyes and Kim Dy having seen their share of battles.
Kobe Shinwa coach Kiyokazu Yamamoto, whose wards fell to the High Speed Hitters, 25-20, 25-22, 25-23, for their only loss thus far, will likely be asking his charges for one thing come Sunday.
“They forgot to enjoy their volleyball on the court,” Yamamoto, also through a translator, said of their slow start against Chery Tiggo. “I told them that they should enjoy playing in this big venue to play better in this game.
“We saw (the first time we played them) that PLDT has a really good block,” he went on. “So, we’re thinking about how to handle PLDT’s blocking.”
Komatsuda, who admitted that jitters led to her early struggle against Chery Tiggo, vows to savor the moment for her school and country.
“When we go back to Japan, there’s a league waiting for us,” Komatsuda said. “ Today, we won a five-set match, which is a great experience for us. It gave us confidence for the fifth set.”
Arisu Ishikawa and Kokoro Yasuma led Kobe to a hot 9-3 start in the fifth before Komatsuda put on the finishing touches to complete the comeback.
Kobe Shinwa was on the verge of defeat with a 20-16 deficit in the third, only to crawl right back in it and take a lot of momentum in the fourth to force a decider.
Yasuma chipped in 16 points. Ishikawa had 11 points, while Reira Miyazaki and Yuia Yamano had 10 and eight points, respectively
PVL on Tour runner-up Chery Tiggo finished with a 3-2 record and will be facing Creamline on Sunday in a bronze medal game at 4 p.m.
Ara Galang and Cess Robles led the Crossovers with 19 and 18 points, respectively. Imee Hernandez had 17 points, including five blocks. Jasmine Nabor dished out 32 excellent sets, while libero Jen Nierva had 26 digs and 24 excellent receptions.
