Creamline’s Risa Sato during a game against Kurashiki in the PVL Invitational Conference. MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Despite Creamline’s first loss in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Invitational Conference, Risa Sato shone as a starter and played her best game of the tournament against Japan’s Kurashiki Ablaze on Friday at Philsports Arena.
With Creamline resting Celine Domingo in their last semifinal game, the Filipino-Japanese middle blocker stepped up with 10 points including three blocks only for the Cool Smashers to absorb a 20-25, 21-25, 25-18, 14-25 loss to the Ablaze.
“Sobrang excited ako kasi kalaban namin Japanese. Siyempre Japanese din ako at sobrang happy kasi ito lang yung time na pwede kami makakalaban Japan. Happy lang,” said Sato.
“Sayang kaso yung Japan kasi alam ko din bata pa lang sobrang sipag nila. Makulit sila [dahil lagi nakukuha yung] receive. Kita niyo itsura nila focused. Ang galing nila,” she added.
(I was so excited because I will play against the Japanese since this is the only time that we will play a Japanese team. I’m happy. But we were not able to win. I know that the Japanese have been working hard since kids. They are efficient in receiving and they are always focused.)
Creamline Cool Smashers. MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Kurashiki coach Hideo Suzuki and his players lauded Sato’s game.
“She’s good and she is also good looking. She and Rachel [Anne Daquis],” said Suzuki through an interpreter.
Asaka Tamaru, who led the way with 19 points, and libero Kaoru Takahashi agreed with their coach.
“Her spikes are very fast. It’s hard to block it. That’s why she scored a lot,” said Tamaru.
“She is a powerful spiker,” added Takahashi, who had 16 digs against Creamline.
The former National University standout was grateful for all the praises but she and the Cool Smashers are eager to bounce back when they defend their title against the Ablaze in the winner-take-all final on Sunday at 6:30 p.m.
“From this game, we still got something and learned about their offense. We will bounce back. We need to be champions. My only mindset is to become a champion,” Sato said in Filipino.
Sato hopes to bond with the third-division Japanese team after the Invitational Conference.