Kurashiki eyes finals slot vs PLDT

KURASHIKI of Japan takes the first of its two chances for the other championship berth, facing the only other team standing in the way of its finals drive in the Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.

But the Ablaze said they are wary of the PLDT High Speed Hitters — and the local fans — as they go for a fourth straight victory and the other spot in the one-game final against the Creamline Cool Smashers on Sunday.

PLDT’s Mika Reyes (right) tries to score against Cignal’s Rachel Anne Daquis during the PVL Invitational Conference semfinals at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig on July 20, 2023. PHOTO BY RIO DELUVIO 

Gametime is at 4 p.m. on Thursday, July 27, with PLDT, coming off back-to-back 3-0 victories over F2 Logistics and Kinh Bac-Bac Ninh of Vietnam for a 2-2 card, likewise, pulling out all the stops to stall the Japanese and keep its flickering hopes alive.

But even if they do hurdle the Japanese, the High Speed Hitters would still need to hope the former would drop their last semis match to the Cool Smashers at the close of the semis phase tomorrow (Friday).

“Like F2 Logistics, PLDT is a tall team. But we will do our best, particularly in receive,” said Kurashiki coach Hideo Suzuki, after steering the team past the Cargo Movers, 25-20, 25-22, 25-20, last Tuesday for a 3-0 slate, through an interpreter.

Creamline booked the first finals seat with a tough 25-23, 25-23, 25-17 win over Kinh Bac-Bac Ninh, which remained winless in three games in the mid-season conference.

Having seen the High Speed Hitters play, Akane Hiraoka, who took the game’s top honors with a nine-point effort against F2 Logistics, said: “PLDT has tall players, we have to focus on defense and receive, and we shouldn’t be discouraged.”