Kurashiki is primed to reassert its dominance, while Creamline looks to avenge last year’s heartbreaker as they face off on Sunday in a highly anticipated rematch in the Premier Volleyball League Invitational 2024.
Their clash comes exactly one year after the Ablaze edged the Cool Smashers in a historic five-set thriller to become the league’s first-ever foreign champion.
Match time is set for 6 p.m. at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, where the winner will gain a crucial advantage toward securing the first finals berth in this swift, nine-day, five-team competition.
Earlier at 4 p.m., Cignal will aim for back-to-back victories, taking on winless EST Cola after an emphatic straight-set win over Farm Fresh last Friday.
Although Kurashikiwill be without its former top scorer Asaka Tamaru, Creamline faces a far more challenging predicament, missing three of their key players. Despite this, the Cool Smashers are no strangers to defying the odds, having dominated the upstart Akari Chargers in last week's Reinforced Conference finals.
To overcome an in-form Kurashiki side, however, they’ll need more than just experience and grit.
Kurashiki, unbeaten since last year's six-game sweep of the tournament, has extended its streak with commanding victories over Thailand’s EST Cola and Farm Fresh.
Creamline, meanwhile, showed no signs of fatigue when it dismantled the young Thai side last Friday, just two days after securing its second Reinforced Conference title – and ninth championship – by beating Akari.
With limited preparation time due to the tight schedule, Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses underscored the need for intense focus ahead of the rematch.
“Sure ako na may training kami, at hopefully magtuloy-tuloy yung ganda ng laro namin hanggang matapos tong Invitational,” said Meneses after their victory over EST Cola last Friday. “Paghahandaan talaga namin ng mabuti ang Kurashiki.”
Kurashiki is expected to come into the match with a similar sense of urgency, driven by the desire to repeat its success against Creamline and secure another PVL title. Head coach Hideo Suzuki will likely rely on his deep roster, including standouts Saya Taniguchi, Mei Cing Low, Ayano Tsuji, Yukino Yano, Miho Kawamura and Saki Tanabe.
Though Creamline is without Tots Carlos, Jema Galanza and Alyssa Valdez, the Cool Smashers remain a formidable force. Bernadette Pons has been in stellar form, capping off her week by sweeping both the Conference and Finals MVP honors.
Import Erica Staunton has also been delivering the firepower and hustle needed while Michele Gumabao has stepped up as a leader. Consistent contributions from middle blockers Pangs Panaga and Bea de Leon, as well as ace setter Kyle Negrito, will also be crucial in Creamline’s pursuit of a 10th PVL crown.
