Japanese show grit to deny HD Spikers in 4-set thriller

Games today (Friday)

4 p.m. – Kobe Shinwa vs Chery Tiggo

6:30 p.m. – ZUS Coffee vs Creamline

What began as a lopsided affair turned into a gripping showdown, but Kobe Shinwa displayed exceptional poise to deny Cignal’s comeback attempt, pulling off a 25-7, 25-18, 19-25, 27-25 win in the penultimate prelims playdate of the PVL Invitational on Thursday at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Japanese squad appeared on track for a straight-set sweep after dominating the first two sets with speed, precision and sharp ball movement.

But Cignal came roaring back in Set 3, utilizing aggressive net defense and sharper service pressure to disrupt Kobe Shinwa’s rhythm and extend the match.

The fourth set became a test of will.

Down 22-24, the Japanese side refused to crack under pressure.

Nagisa Komatsuda forced a crucial block touch call, and a Cignal miscue tied the set at 24.

Cignal briefly regained the lead via a successful net fault challenge, but Arisu Ishikawa responded with a calm, powerful swipe to force deuce.

Kokoro Yasuma then took center stage.

With setter Sakura Furuta orchestrating the offense, Yasuma delivered a down-the-line rocket to cap a high-intensity rally.

After a defensive stop on Erika Santos’ soft attack, Furuta returned to Yasuma, who sealed the win with a thunderous hit between two defenders, ending the 1-hour, 38-minute clash.

The win improved Kobe Shinwa’s record to 3-1, tying them with Chery Tiggo and setting up a critical showdown today (Friday) with the Crossovers.

Komatsuda powered the team with 21 points built on 19 attacks and tallied 11 excellent receptions.

Ishikawa and Yasuma added 15 and 12 points, respectively, while Reira Miyazaki contributed 11.

Furuta had 22 excellent sets, outplaying her counterpart Gel Cayuna who finished with 18.

Despite being outblocked 1-12, Kobe Shinwa outgunned Cignal, 72-43, relying on pace, precise shot selection and late-match composure.

Komatsuda noted their mid-match adjustments were key.

“We adjusted our attacks based on Cignal’s blocking. Sometimes we went for hard spikes, other times we used drop shots,” she said through a translator.

She added they also focused more on serve reception, aware of the locals’ strong service game.

Cignal, now 1-4, saw its semifinal hopes all but vanish despite a gallant effort.

Roselyn Doria led with 16 points, including five blocks.

Santos added 11, while Vanie Gandler, Acuna and Heather Guino-o combined for 25 markers.

Cignal showed life in Set 3, mounting a 9-1 run to flip a 12-14 deficit into a 21-15 lead, capitalizing on Kobe Shinwa’s misfires.

Miyazaki’s service error handed Cignal set point before Guino-o redeemed herself with a gutsy off-the-block shot to close the frame.

The HD Spikers carried that momentum into the fourth set, asserting dominance at the net behind Doria and Acuna.

Cignal led 16-13 as their defense tightened and attacks found their mark.

But Kobe Shinwa stayed composed.

Through tactical drop balls and varied hits, the Japanese squad clawed back within one at 19-20, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.

In the end, it was Kobe Shinwa’s depth, mental toughness and ability to execute in crunch time that secured the win — and kept their semifinal hopes alive.