Kurashiki Ablaze during a game against the Farm Fresh Foxies in the PVL Invitational Conference.–PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–Kurashiki cruised to a second consecutive win in the PVL Invitational Conference with a quick 25-13, 25-16, 25-16 blowout of replacement team Farm Fresh on Thursday at PhilSports Arena.
Cing Low Mei top scored again for the Ablaze with 12 points from seven attacks, four blocks and an ace while player of the game Saya Taniguchi added 10 points, all from kills.
“We had a good performance and we were able to show the Ablaze way of volleyball,” coach Hideo Suzuki said through a translator.
Ayano Tsuji had eight points with Kyoka Oshima tossing 13 excellent sets as the defending champions faces last Invitational Conference Finals rival Creamline, fresh from a Reinforced crown Wednesday night, next.
The Foxies were invited to play after PLDT and Akari withdrew from the tournament and they were immediately stunned by Suzuki, a consultant for Farm Fresh, and Kurashiki.
READ: PVL: Kurashiki fends off Est Cola to open Invitationals campaign
Kurashiki head coach Hideo Suzuki and Saya Taniguchi on beating Farm Fresh #PVL2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/S6nKOKa1tX
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) September 5, 2024
Reinforced Conference Best Opposite Spiker Trisha Tubu paced the Foxies with nine points from seven attacks and two blocks while former Ablaze and ZUS Coffee cog Asaka Tamaru, who replaced Yeny Murillo, scored eight attack points.
“I heard that Tamaru suddenly joined Farm Fresh so we did not have enough time to prepare but it turned out okay,” Suzuki said while offering advice to Foxies coach Shota Sato.
“The play of Farm Fresh is getting better, Sato should just level up their play more,” he added.
Tamaru was the target of the Ablaze from the service line but she blunted 17 of those. Louie Romero had 11 excellent sets while libero Janel Delerio had 11 excellent receptions.
Kurashiki ran away in the first two sets before leaving the Foxies in the dust in the deciding frame, 22-9. A pair of attacks by Tubu and an error by the Ablaze brought the game to 23-12.
READ: PVL: Farm Fresh replaces PLDT in Invitational Conference
Hiroko Morimoto sent the Japanese crew on the verge of victory before Farm Fresh saved three consecutive match points. Tamaru committed an attack error that ended the one-hour and five-minute duel.
The Foxies battle Reinforced Conference bronze medalist Cignal on Friday at 4 p.m. at Sta. Rosa Sports Complex in Laguna.
“The players are slowly adjusting to the Philippines and their condition is slowly getting better,” Suzuki said. “Up next is Creamline and Cignal so I hope we will also play well in those games.”