The Kobe Shinwa University in the 2025 PVL Invitational. PVL Media Bureau
MANILA (UPDATED) — Kobe Shinwa University continued to make waves in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL), ripping veteran squad Cignal, highlighted by a 25-7 Set 1 in the 2025 Invitational on Thursday at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
The young Japanese squad has completed a four-set 25-7, 25-18, 19-25, 27-25 triumph, tying Chery Tiggo in the standings at 3-1.
Kobe Shinwa's encounter on Friday with the Crossovers would be a virtual knockout match for the last Final berth.
The seven-point opening frame by Cignal was third-lowest output by a PVL squad since the league turned professional.
The visitors immediately uncorked a 9-1 fiery start, dictating the rest of Set 1.
After a 25-18 Set 2, the HD Spikers avoided a sweep, snatching a 25-19 third frame and were poised to force a decider after leading 24-22 in Set 4.
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But that was then the Cignal crew collapsed, as Kobe Shinwa saved multiple set points and finished things off after back-to-back Kokoro Yasuma hits.
"I told my players in the fourth set that they still need to enjoy the game [to get the win]. That was my advice for them," said Kobe Shinwa head coach Kiyokazu Yamamoto after the game.
Yasuma concluded with 12 points, while it was Nagisa Komatsuda who topped the Kobe scoring with 21 points built on 19 attacks, one block, and once ace.
Arisu Ishikawa added 15 points, as Sakura Furuta orchestrated the Kobe Shinwa offense, listing 22 excellent sets.
The Thunderbelles dominated the blocking department, 12-1, but the conversion in attacks spelled the difference for the Japanese, 72-43, offsetting that dismal net defense.
Rose Doria-Aquino paced the winless side with 16 points, as the Zus Coffee wrapped up the short tilt with a 0-4 record.
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