KURASHIKI delivered a strong statement against reigning champion Creamline, pulling off a 25-20, 25-21, 18-25, 25-14 win to finish the 2023 PVL Invitational Conference semifinals unbeaten on Friday at the PhilSports Arena.
Led by Takahashi Kaoru's 16 excellent digs and five excellent receptions, the Japan V.League’s third division side dealt the six-time PVL winners a first loss ahead of their winner-take-all face-off in less than two days' time.
MVP contender Tamaru Asaka registered a game-high 19 attack points.
Ablaze emerges as the top-seeded team after the round-robin semis with a perfect 5-0 slate while ending Creamline's seven-game win streak.
It was a masterful 14-3 Kurashiki run in the fourth frame that ultimately crushed Creamline's hopes of a reverse sweep fightback.
Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses made a rare decision to field the entire roster in the match except former PVL Finals MVP Celine Domingo, giving his starters more rest ahead of the one-game final.