Kobe Shinwa’s flair fuels major upset vs Creamline, boosts Finals drive

Games tomorrow (Thursday)
Araneta Coliseum
4 p.m. – Cignal vs Kobe Shinwa
6:30 p.m. – PLDT vs ZUS Coffee

Coming off a straight-sets loss to unbeaten PLDT, Kobe Shinwa University bounced back with flair, finesse and ferocity — pulling off a stunning 27-25, 25-23, 23-25, 25-21 upset over powerhouse Creamline in the 2025 PVL Invitational Conference Tuesday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.

The Japanese side, known for its relentless hustle and tempo, delivered a masterclass in energy and execution — traits typically associated with champions like the Cool Smashers.

But on this night, the league’s most decorated team had no answer for Kobe Shinwa’s blistering pace, pinpoint offense, and clutch composure.

From the opening serve, the Japanese played with youthful exuberance and veteran poise.

Averaging just 22 years old, they matched Creamline’s firepower with speed, disrupting the Cool Smashers’ rhythm and keeping the 10-time champions scrambling in transition.

Even after their sweep bid was denied in the third set, Kobe Shinwa surged ahead in the fourth with an 8-4 lead they never relinquished.

They extended the cushion to 17-12 with crisp execution before Creamline launched a late rally, closing the gap to 21-22 after a clever drop ball from Jema Galanza.

Still, the visitors held firm.

Nagisa Komatsuda came up clutch with a successful block-touch challenge that halted Creamline’s momentum, then Arisu Ishikawa sealed the win with a clinical through-the-block strike, ending a tense rally.

Their late-game execution — smart sets, fearless swings and tireless defense — left Creamline, the reigning Invitational champion, rattled and eliminated from title contention.

“I didn’t play well yesterday (Monday), but I’m very happy with my performance today. It was a tight match,” said Kokoro Yasuma, who exploded for 23 points and anchored her outing with 12 excellent receptions.

Komatsuda and Ishikawa backed Yasuma with 16 points each, while Reira Miyazaki and Yuia Yamano added 11 and 9 markers, respectively, in a well-balanced attack.

Setter Sakura Furuta controlled the offense with 21 excellent sets, just one shy of her Creamline counterpart Kyle Negrito’s 22.

Defensively, libero Rino Hirami tallied nine excellent digs, while Komatsuda chipped in eight more, frustrating Creamline’s hitters all night.

For Creamline, Pangs Panaga and Galanza scored 20 points apiece.

Alyssa Valdez and Michele Gumabao added 9 and 8 markers, respectively, while Lorie Bernardo finished with 7.

Kobe Shinwa outgunned Creamline in attack points, 69-56, and led in aces, 5-2.

Creamline had the edge in blocks, 13-3.

Galanza delivered an all-around game, posting 11 excellent digs and 17 receptions — matching libero Kyla Atienza’s defensive output.

Valdez also contributed 10 receptions.

Looking ahead to a do-or-die clash with Chery Tiggo on Thursday, Yasuma, through an interpreter, said: “We’ll make the necessary adjustments, especially against their strong blocking.”

The two-hour, one-minute thriller improved Kobe Shinwa’s record to 2-1 and ended Creamline’s finals bid at 1-3 — a stunning fall for a team that won the Invitational title last year to complete a historic Grand Slam.

Kobe Shinwa’s spirited campaign now positions them for a possible finals rematch with PLDT — the only team that has beaten them in the tournament.

Creamline’s exit capped a turbulent 2025 season, which included a bronze finish in the PVL On Tour.

Their championship hopes were dashed by a team that played with youthful energy and surgical precision.

For Kobe Shinwa, the win was more than redemption — it was a statement.

They outpaced, outgunned and outlasted the league’s most decorated squad with poise and purpose.

Facing elimination after dropping the first two sets, Creamline showcased the heart of a champion.

In a bold move, coach Sherwin Meneses brought in veteran Pau Soriano, who made an instant impact with two momentum-shifting blocks.

Her denial of Furuta gave Creamline a 20-17 edge in the third set.

Despite a late push from Kobe Shinwa, which trimmed the gap to 23-24 on back-to-back Galanza errors, the Cool Smashers turned to their veteran leader.

Galanza made no mistake on her next swing, blasting a decisive kill off a well-set combination play to take the third.