Kurashiki Ablaze of Japan survived a tough challenge from Creamline Cool Smashers to score a 19-25, 25-23, 25-19, 20-25, 15-13 win in the finals of the 2023 PVL Invitational on late Sunday night at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Tamaru Azaka top-scored with 29 points, including 28 attacks, while Hiraoka Akane added 14 markers as the Ablaze completed a perfect run to become the first-ever foreign team to hoist a PVL title.
Yano Yukino and Kawamura Miho each ended with 11 points; Tanabe Saki chipped in 10 markers; and Ohshima Kyoka distributed the ball well with 19 excellent sets for the Ablaze.
After being denied the opportunity to close the title match in the fourth set, the Ablaze were forced into a tight game in the fifth frame and were down 10-11 after a block by Cool Smashers’ Michele Gumabao.
The Ablaze responded with back-to-back conversions from Akane and Azaka to force a deadlock at 12-all, but the Cool Smashers regained the lead at 13-12 via a Celine Domingo connection, but the Japanese squad tied the score anew at 13-all courtesy of Yukino.
Saki then unloaded a powerful hit towards the defense of the Cool Smashers to put the Ablaze at championship point before securing the crown on a successful challenge from a service ace by Azaka.
Carlos finished with 27 points to lead the dethroned Cool Smashers; Domingo and Jessica Galanza added 20 and 18 markers, respectively; and Alyssa Valdez finished with six points in three sets of action.
Meanwhile, Cignal HD Spikers took home the tournament’s bronze medal following a 25-22, 23-25, 25-20, 25-18 victory over the slumping F2 Logistics Cargo Movers in the battle for third place.
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