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Kobe Shinwa University. PVL Media Bureau
MANILA – Kobe Shinwa University aims to disrupt the system of the PLDT High Speed Hitters when they clash in the 2025 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Invitational Final.
The young Japanese squad is seeking another championship in Filipino shores, eight years after winning the Philippine Super Liga Invitational Cup title in 2017.
Kobe Shinwa head coach Kiyokazu Yamamoto said they need to find answers to the PVL On Tour champions' well-oiled machine.
They entered the final after pulling off the reverse sweep rug on Chery Tiggo, 21-25, 17-25, 26-24, 25-22, 15-6, on Friday at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
"Yung laban nila last [against] PLDT, nakita nila maganda yung block, yung sistema nila. So paano sila makakadiskarte sa blocking nila, yun yung iisipin nila mamaya," Yamamoto said through a translator.
Kobe Shinwa's Sakura Furuta and Nagisa Komatsuda said they gained confidence heading into the final after their five-set win against the Chery Tiggo Crossovers.
READ: PVL: Kobe Shinwa pulls off reverse sweep of Chery Tiggo, arranges final with PLDT
"Yung PLDT maganda yung defense. Mabilis magpasa yung setter tapos mabilis pumalo. Gagawin nila sisirain yung offense and aggressive serve para masira yung depensa nila. Then last na talo nila pero lahat ng set pero after 20 points maganda naman laro nila. Isip nila na may chance pa sila," Furuta said through a translator.
As relayed by the translator, Komatsuda said she and the rest of the team need to shake off the nerves to be able to play their best game against PLDT.
Just like in their previous game against the Cignal HD Spikers, the two players said they need to remind themselves to enjoy the game to emerge victorious.
The young Japanese players also relish the opportunity to compete in an overseas tournament to gain experience.
READ: PVL: Kobe Shinwa rides dominant opener en route to big win over Cignal
"Nasusubukan nila gaano ka-effective yung volleyball nila against sa Philippines. Tapos yung nakuha nilang experience, ibabalik nila sa Japan," Furuta said as interpreted by a translator.
"Today five sets nakuha nila. Magandang experience daw yun. Pagbalik nila sa liga sa Japan, may confidence na sila sa five sets," Komatsuda added through a translator.
Kobe Shinwa will face off against PLDT in the championship match on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum. First serve is scheduled at 6:30 p.m.