Kobe Shinwa University in the 2025 PVL Invitational. PVL Media Bureau
MANILA (UPDATED) — Kobe Shinwa took care of business against Creamline, 27-25, 25-23, 23-25, 25-21, in the 2025 PVL Invitational on Tuesday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
With the win, the visiting Japanese squad has put the PVL powerhouse on the brink of elimination, moving them down to 1-3 win-loss card while upping their own record to 2-1.
While Kobe Shinwa improved their chances of advancing to the Final, the Cool Smashers are now hoping that Chery Tiggo loses against Zus Coffee later in the day to keep their title hopes alive.
It was an up-and-down game for both squads, with Creamline clawing its way back after a 16-8 Kobe lead in Set 1, tying at 20-apiece after a 12-3 run.
But the young Japanese squad averted disaster in the frame that was pushed to the limit, despite Creamline saving multiple set points, as Yasuma Kokoro and Reira Miyazaki found the clutch hits to lift Kobe Shinwa, 27-25.
The Cool Smashers led by as much as 14-9 in Set 2, but it was Kobe Shinwa's turn to come back, knotting the count at 17-all.
Yasuma's hit powered Kobe Shinwa to set point, 24-22, but her attack went wide to keep Creamline alive. She made up for it with an attack the Cool Smashers side could not dig, establishing a 2-0 lead after closing out second frame, 25-23.
The Japan crew regrouped in Set 4 after a close 23-25 Set 3, averting collapse by quelling Creamline's fightback.
Kobe Shinwa led by as much as five, 22-16, but the Invitational defending champions had one last hurrah in them, unleashing five straight points to close in within one, 22-16.
The visitors finally snagged the win as they answered back with three straight of their own, capped by a game-winning into-the-block spike by Arisu Ishikawa to close out the match that lasted two hours and 12 minutes.
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Yasuma was more aggressive on offense, having prepared to play Creamline after losing to On Tour champ PLDT on Monday.
"Yesterday, I couldn't play the way I wanted to, so I watched a lot of videos of Creamline and tried to be aggressive," she said.
"I watched videos on how to adjust to the height of the players," she added.
That effort paid off as Yasuma notched a team-high 23 points made on 21 attacks and two aces to go with eight excellent digs, while Ishikawa and Nagisa Komatsuda contributed 16 markers each.
Pangs Panaga and Jema Galanza tallied 20 points, while Alyssa Valdez was held down to only nine points.
Kobe Shinwa battles Cignal next, set for Thursday, as Creamline eyes a return to winning ways against Zus Coffee on Friday.