Kurashiki of Japan gathered up strength while building up for its eagerly anticipated title clash with Creamline, beating a game F2 Logistics in a booming power duel marked by spectacular digs for a 25-23, 25-22, 25-20 victory and closer to a dream finals stint in the Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig on Tuesday.
The Ablaze, behind the heavy-hitting Asaka Tamaru and Akane Hiraoka, proved relentless from both wings and on quick plays, pounding the Cargo Movers’ tall middles and spikers with power blasts while flashing superb floor defense to flourish in transition plays.
After a 29-hit effort and a 16-point outing against the Kinh Bac-Bac Ninh side of Vietnam and the Cignal HD Spikers, respectively, Asaka fired 19 points capped by a match-clinching running attack over two F2 Logistics defenders as the Japanese stretched their amazing win streak to three to solidify their hold of second place.
Creamline earlier clinched the first finals slot with a 25-23, 25-23, 25-17 romp over Kinh Bac-Bac Ninh.
Kurashiki will try to secure the other championship seat against PLDT (2-2) tomorrow before facing Creamline at the close of semis phase on Friday.
The one-game final is set Sunday.
F2 Logistics did produce an impressive 11-block effort against Kurashiki’s one but the former just couldn’t contain the number of attacks (167) that the Japanese had unleashed all throughout the one-hour, 26-minute encounter. F2 made 148 attempts and converted just 33.
Akane finished with nine points, including two aces, to claim the game’s top honors while Saya Taniguchi, Yukino Yano and Kokoro Takio each scored seven points and Saki Tanabe added five markers for the Japanese, who also pounced on the Cargo Movers’ 20 unforced errors while giving up 17 points of their own.
