The PVL explained why the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles stepped in as last-minute replacements for the Kurashiki Ablaze in the 2025 Invitational.
The PVL will see a new challenger in the 2025 Invitational after Japanese team Kurashiki Ablaze abruptly withdrew from the tournament due to an alleged compliance violation by its coach.
Kurashiki, which captured the 2023 Invitational crown, confirmed its pullout just days before it competes in the two-week tournament.
Team officials revealed that head coach Hideo Suzuki is facing allegations of a serious compliance violation, forcing the club to suspend all activities pending an internal investigation.
“We regret to inform you that we received a notice from the Japan Volleyball League indicating that our head coach, Hideo Suzuki, may have committed a serious compliance violation,” said Daisuke Watanabe, Representative Director of Ablaze Co. Ltd., in a statement to the PVL.
“It is with great regret that we must inform you of our decision to withdraw from participating in the PVL Invitational. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this sudden decision, made so close to the start of the tournament, may cause to all parties involved.”
[ALSO READ: SCHEDULE, RESULTS | ZUS Coffee joins top four PVL teams, Kobe Shinwa in Invitational tilt]
With the withdrawal, the PVL was left scrambling to fill the final slot in its six-team field.
League officials extended an invitation to Farm Fresh, which finished fifth in the PVL on Tour with a 4-3 record. But team owner Frank Lao declined, explaining that the Foxies were not yet ready for another conference and lacked a full training roster.
Instead, Lao fielded sister team ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles, who finished sixth in the recently concluded PVL on Tour.
For ZUS Coffee, the late entry offers both a challenge and an opportunity.
The Thunderbelles are still in the early stages of building a competitive program but will now test themselves against some of the league’s powerhouse squads under the bright spotlight of the Invitational.
The Invitational, set to unfold over two weeks, will now showcase a lineup of five local teams plus Kobe Shinwa University.
[ALSO READ: SCHEDULE, RESULTS | ZUS Coffee joins top four PVL teams, Kobe Shinwa in Invitational tilt]