In a spirited effort to defend their Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Invitational Conference crown, the Kurashiki Ablaze are not only gunning for glory but also aiming to ignite a passion for volleyball among the youth of the Philippines.
The Ablaze, who claimed the title in 2023, made a formidable return to the tournament, showcasing their prowess with a commanding 3-1 victory over the Thai guest team Est Cola. The match, held on a lively Wednesday afternoon, ended with set scores of 25-20, 25-18, 23-25, 25-21.
Kurashiki's head coach, Hideo Suzuki, expressed that the team's primary mission in the PVL was to offer an exciting brand of volleyball, hoping it would captivate Filipino children and motivate them to pursue the sport.
"We wanted to play good volleyball with the hopes that Filipino children see our style of volleyball and are inspired to play the sport in the future," Suzuki shared, speaking through a translator.
Despite their impressive start, Suzuki was less than satisfied with the performance, particularly noting the unexpected loss of a set to Est Cola, a squad featuring Thailand's Under-18 and Under-20 national players.
Leading the charge for Kurashiki was Malaysian-Taiwanese star Low Mei Cing, who delivered a standout performance with 22 points. Supporting her were Yukino Yano, who dazzled with 15 points, 22 receptions, and 11 digs, and Saya Taniguchi, who added 14 points to the scoreboard. Saki Tanabe and Mami Gondo also made their mark, each contributing 11 points.
"We were happy to play again in front of the PVL fans, but in this first game, the players were nervous, and it was a so-so performance. We need to be better," Suzuki admitted.
The Ablaze had swept the competition in 2023, finishing the season with an unblemished 6-0 record and securing the title with a thrilling five-set triumph over Creamline in the gold medal match.
Coming off a championship run in Japan's V.League Division 3, Kurashiki now competes in the unified V.League, facing off against former Division 2 and Division 3 teams. Their continued success in the PVL not only underscores their dominance but also their commitment to inspiring the next generation of volleyball stars in the Philippines.
