KURASHIKI of Japan takes the first of its two chances for the other championship berth, facing the only other team standing in the way of its finals drive in the Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
But the Ablaze said they are wary of the PLDT High Speed Hitters—and the local fans—as they go for a fourth straight victory and the other spot in the one-game final against the Creamline Cool Smashers on Sunday.
Gametime is at 4 p.m. today (Thursday) with PLDT, coming off back-to-back 3-0 victories over F2 Logistics and Kinh Bac-Bac Ninh of Vietnam for a 2-2 card, likewise pulling out all the stops to stall the Japanese and keep its flickering hopes alive.
But even if they do hurdle the Japanese, the High Speed Hitters would still need to hope the former would drop their last semis match to the Cool Smashers at the close of the semis phase tomorrow (Friday).
“Like F2 Logistics, PLDT is a tall team. But we will do our best, particularly in receive,” said Kurashiki coach Hideo Suzuki, after steering the team past the Cargo Movers, 25-20, 25-22, 25-20, last Tuesday for a 3-0 slate, through an interpreter.
Creamline booked the first finals seat with a tough 25-23, 25-23, 25-17 win over Kinh Bac-Back Ninh, which remained winless in three games in the mid-season conference of the league organized by Sports Vision and backed by BingoPlus, ArenaPlus, Mikasa, SMART, Rebisco, Kumu, Asics and SportRadar.
Having seen the High Speed Hitters play, Akane Hiraoka, who took the game’s top honors with a nine-point effort against F2 Logistics, said: “PLDT has tall players, we have to focus on defense and receive and we shouldn’t be discouraged.”
PLDT coach Rald Ricafort and the High Speed Hitters, on the other hand, said they aren’t actually after the result but the chance to play an efficient team like Kurashiki.
“We’re happy to have built momentum (after beating Kinh Bac-Bac Ninh). We prepared against the Japanese at yung pag-manage na lang para maka-peak sa dulo,” said Ricafort.
“But it’s more on the challenge to play a Japanese team. Hindi na namin hawak ang (finals) chances namin, so we’ll focus on the opportunity to play a strong, quick team like Kurashiki and gain experience. Basta, gagalingan namin at bahala na kung saan kami dadalhin,” he added.
“We’re all excited to play a disciplined Japanese squad. Mate-test din namin ang kakayahan namin, kung nasaan na ba ang laro namin at this stage. It’s more than the result and we know the coaching staff will be there to guide us,” said top libero Kath Arado.
Fiola Ceballos, who has become one of PLDT’s go-to hitters in the conference, has emphasized the need for patience and composure, saying: “Mabibilis silang pumalo at sa depensa, so super importante and patience.”
Meanwhile, Cignal, toting a 1-3 slate, and Kinh Bac-Bac Ninh, winless in three games, tangle in the 6:30 p.m. main game with both teams trying to stay in the battle for the bronze.
Games are aired on PVL.ph, One Sports, and One Sports+ with live streaming on Smart Livestream, Cignal Play and Pilipinas Live.
Games Thursday
4 p.m. – PLDT vs Kurashiki (Japan)
6:30 p.m. – Kinh Bac-Bac Ninh
(Vietnam) vs Cignal
