It's the undefeated PLDT High Speed Hitters aiming for back-to-back PVL titles, as they take on Japanese guest team Kobe Shinwa University in the Invitational Conference final.
The PVL on Tour may be over, but the season continues for the PLDT High Speed Hitters, Chery Tiggo Crossovers, Creamline Cool Smashers, the Cignal HD Spikers... and the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles.
The top four teams of the PVL pre-season tournament will next take on Japanese team Kobe Shinwa University—which was initially set to debut in the league back in 2022 but had to back out due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Kurashiki out, ZUS Coffee in
Meanwhile, 2023 champion Kurashiki Ablaze, which was set to compete alongside Kobe Shinwa, withdrew from the tournament due to an alleged "serious compliance violation" that may have been committed by coach Hideo Suzuki.
PVL on Tour sixth placer ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles were fielded in as replacement. An invitation was initially sent to fifth-placed team Farm Fresh Foxies, but owner Frank Lao cited the need for more training and sent their sister team instead.
[ALSO READ: Here’s why ZUS Coffee will replace Kurashiki in 2025 PVL Invitational Conference]
The tournament will take place from August 21 until August 31 at PhilSports Arena and the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Will there be a carry-over?
Yes, the PVL confirmed that the semifinal results of the On Tour will carry over to the Invitational Conference. The league says this is due to the tight schedule and aim to end the tournament before September.
"The league and participating teams mutually agreed to a one-day rest instead of having an additional gameday," the PVL said.
This means PLDT and Chery Tiggo begin with 1-0 records, while Creamline and Cignal start at 0-1.
Early release for Alas
The PNVF also granted Alas Pilipinas Women players early release, allowing them to play for their PVL clubs for the Invitational and Reinforced Conferences. However, they would still have to commit to national team training three times a week.
[ALSO READ: PNVF clears Alas Pilipinas Women to return to PVL clubs before end of national team period]
Here are the schedules, results, highlights, standings, stories, and where to watch.
[ALSO READ: PVL Invitational race down to Chery Tiggo, Kobe Shinwa for last Finals spot]
GAME SCHEDULE
Thursday | August 21 | PhilSports Arena
Cignal vs Creamline | CCS def. CHD, 22-25, 25-17, 22-25, 25-11, 15-8
PLDT vs Chery Tiggo | HSH def. CTC, 25-16, 25-14 25-20
Saturday | August 23 | PhilSports Arena
Kobe Shinwa vs ZUS Coffee | KSU def. ZUS, 25-14, 27-25, 25-17
PLDT vs Cignal | HSH def. CHD, 25-19, 25-13, 25-22
Creamline vs Chery Tiggo | CTC def. CCS, 25-20, 24-26, 21-25, 25-17, 17-15
Monday | August 25 | PhilSports Arena
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PLDT vs Kobe Shinwa | HSH def. KSU, 25-20, 25-22, 25-23
- Cignal vs ZUS Coffee | CHD def. ZUS. 22-25, 25-19, 25-18, 25-19
Tuesday | August 26 | PhilSports Arena
- Kobe Shinwa vs Creamline | KSU def. CCS, 27-25, 25-23, 23-25, 25-21
- ZUS Coffee vs Chery Tiggo | CTC def. ZUS, 25-17, 25-17, 25-23
Thursday | August 28 | Smart Araneta Coliseum
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Cignal vs Kobe Shinwa | KSU def. CHD, 25-7, 25-18, 19-25, 27-25
- PLDT vs ZUS Coffee | HSH def. ZUS, 26-24, 25-17, 25-17, 25-14
Friday | August 29 | Smart Araneta Coliseum
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Kobe Shinwa vs Chery Tiggo | KSU def. CTC, 21-25, 17-25, 26-24, 25-22, 15-6
- ZUS Coffee vs Creamline | CCS def. ZUS, 25-15, 25-18, 25-21
Sunday | August 31 | Smart Araneta Coliseum
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Battle for third | Chery Tiggo vs Creamline | 4:00 p.m.
- Final | PLDT vs Kobe Shinwa | 6:30 p.m.
WHERE TO WATCH
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Free-to-air: One Sports | Cignal Ch. 6
- Cable: One Sports+ | Cignal Ch. 261 HD & Ch. 91 SD
- Streaming: Pilipinas Live | Download the app for mobile or check pilipinaslive.com for desktop.
STANDINGS | As of August 29
Team | Wins | Losses | Points
PLDT | 5 | 0 | 14 | Finals-bound
Kobe Shinwa | 4 | 1 | 11 | Finals-bound
Chery Tiggo | 3 | 2 | 9 | Battle for third
Creamline | 2 | 3 | 7 | Battle for third
Cignal | 1 | 4 | 4 | Eliminated
ZUS Coffee | 0 | 5 | 0 | Eliminated
STORIES