Kobe Shinwa University weathered the Cignal HD Spikers' fight back to keep in step with the last PVL Invitational Finals slot.
Kobe Shinwa University blasted past the Cignal HD Spikers in four sets, 25-7, 25-18, 19-25, 27-25, in the 2025 PVL Invitational at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Thursday, August 28.
The Japanese squad improved to 3-1 in the standings, tied with the Chery Tiggo Crossovers, whom they will face tomorrow for the last Finals slot.
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Meanwhile, the HD Spikers dropped to 1-4 as they missed out on a possible podium finish in the two-week tournament.
Dominant in the first two sets, Kobe Shinwa faced a much tougher challenge from Cignal, who had their first full game back with Alas Pilipinas standouts Vanie Gandler and Dawn Macandili-Catindig.
After securing the third set, the HD Spikers even threatened to pull away in the fourth frame, building an early 8-4 lead after Rose Doria-Aquino’s attack.
Cignal continued to hold on to the lead at 19-16 before Kobe Shinwa came back firing to tie the game at 24-all after Erika Santos’ attack error.
Tied at 25-all, the Japanese squad leaned on spiker Kokoro Yasuma, who fired back-to-back points to seal the victory.
Nagisa Komatsuda led the charge anew for Kobe Shinwa with 21 points built on 19 attacks, one block, and one service ace.
Kobe Shinwa’s 25-7 victory in the first frame marked the third most lopsided set in PVL professional history. Only Creamline’s 25-3 win against Balipure and Petro Gazz’s 25-4 victory over Gerflor were ranked higher.