Kath Arado excited to face Japan’s Kurashiki

Kath Arado, one of the best liberos in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL), is excited to face foreign guest team Kurashiki Ablaze of Japan in the Invitational Conference round robin semifinals.

The thought of facing a defensive and disciplined Japanese team is something that excites Arado, who won the Best Libero award in the All-Filipino Conference earlier this year.

Kath Arado (No. 8) PVL PHOTO 

“I’m really excited [to face Kurashiki] because I think the last time I faced Japan was last year in our exhibition game with the national team,” said Arado.

“They [Japanese teams] are really known for their discipline and proper pacing, the 5-foot-4 Arado added.

Through two games in the Invitational Conference round robin semis, Kurashiki, which was set to face Creamline on Tuesday afternoon, July 25, had shown that ‘discipline’ game especially on the defensive end.

The Ablaze logged 73-of-187 in digs (39 percent) and 17-of-68 in receptions (25 percent) in a 23-25, 25-14, 25-20, 25-11 triumph against fellow foreign team Kinh Bac-Bac Ninh on July 22.

The third division team in Japan then logged a 62-of-133 dig clip (46.6 percent) and 22-of-56 in reception (39.3 percent) in a 25-23, 25-16, 25-23 win against Cignal on July 24.

On her part, Arado is one disciplined libero for PLDT, too, showcasing her defensive prowess with an ultra efficient 27-of-34 dig clip (79.41 percent) and 16-of-21 receive tally (76.19 percent) in PLDT’s 25-23, 25-14, 25-23 win over Vietnam’s Kinh Bac-Bac Ninh at the PhilSports Arena on Monday, July 24.

The University of the East standout shared that facing Kurashiki on Thursday, July 27 will serve as a gauge to the capabilities of the High Speed Hitters, who carry a 2-2 record in the semis.

“Facing Kurashiki will serve as a test on our capabilities as an individual and as a team. We’re not going to think about the result, we’re going to prepare for it,” said Arado.

“We’re going to start on how can we read them. We trust that our coaches can really teach and guide us.”