No service break as PVL Invitational set to deliver non-stop action

Fans are set for an action-packed week as the 2025 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Invitational Conference kicks off Thursday, Aug. 21, with six powerhouse squads — including two guest teams from Japan — battling in a high-intensity tournament designed to test skill, strategy, and stamina.

Fresh from the PVL On Tour, the four local semifinalists will face international competition as Kurashiki Ablaze and Kobe Shinwa University make their much-awaited appearance.

Kurashiki, the 2023 Invitational champion, returns for a third straight year determined to reclaim the crown after settling for third in 2024 behind winners Creamline Cool Smashers.

Creamline opens the tournament with a marquee match against Cignal at 4 p.m., followed by PLDT facing Chery Tiggo at 6:30 p.m., promising a thrilling opening-day doubleheader.

Kobe Shinwa University will finally make its PVL debut after withdrawing from the 2022 edition due to pandemic restrictions in Japan.

The two Japanese squads will face off in a highly anticipated clash on Saturday, Aug. 23, at 4 p.m. at the Philsports Arena, showcasing their elite style of play.

The Invitational Conference features a single round-robin elimination format, with the top two teams advancing to the one-game finals on Aug. 31 at the Araneta Coliseum.

A bronze medal match will precede the championship, ensuring back-to-back high-energy games to close the tournament.

Meanwhile, the PVL On Tour concludes Sunday, Aug. 17, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, with the High Speed Hitters and Chery Tiggo Crossovers vying for the title at 6:30 p.m., following the third-place match between Creamline and the HD Spikers at 4 p.m.

With fierce local rivalries, international flair, and a rapid-fire schedule, the 2025 PVL Invitational promises non-stop volleyball excitement from start to finish.