LOCAL fans didn’t know any of the players when Kurashiki arrived for its maiden Premier Volleyball League stint. They probably all recognize most of the Japanese now.
Certainly, hard-hitting Asaka Tamaru is tops on the list with playmaker Kyoka Ohshima next, or Akane Hiraoka, Yukino Yano, Miho Kawamura, Saki Tanabe, Saya Taniguchi or Sayaka Tanida or libero Kaoru Takahashi.
Whatever their rankings are, this band, which campaigns in the third division of the V.League back home, showed its brand of play is skilled and competent enough to producing positive results.
Creamline’s top hitter Tots Carlos put it all in context when she said: “They’re organized, very good, kahit ano pang division galing yan. Masipag, matiyaga and we knew we have to find ways to stop them.”
They failed, just like the four other squads in the six-team semifinals of the PVL Invitational Conference.
And the Kurashiki Ablaze went on to complete a highly-surprising six-game sweep of the championship, capping it with a classic 19-25, 25-23, 25-19, 20-25, 15-13 decision over Creamline in a one-game final that could’ve gone either way before a jampacked crowd at the Philsports Arena in Pasig late Sunday.
Coach Hideo Suzuki profusely thanked league president Ricky Palou for inviting the team to compete in the mid-season conference of the league organized by Sports Vision, the club team’s first overseas campaign, saying: “We’re very happy and appreciative of Mr. Ricky’s invitation.”
“If Mr. Ricky will invite us again next year, 100 percent sure, we’ll come back,” said Suzuki through an interpreter.
That should be something to look forward to as the Ablaze endeared themselves to both the local players and fans for their system, class and character—and for sharing whatever they have in their resources.
“It’s always nice to learn from different countries, their system,” said Creamline skipper Alyssa Valdez, a veteran internationalist. “Ang dami pa natin kailangan matutunan, kailangan i-adjust. Siempre, as Filipinos we all have our own strengths and weaknesses, so it’s just nice to have this opportunities. Later on, we’ll benefit from this, and hopefully, mas madami pang dumating dito para mas tumaas pa lalo ang quality ng volleyball dito sa atin.”
“And more exciting games for all of us,” she added.
The Japanese, along with the Kinh Bac-Bac Ninh side from Vietnam, provided those kind of matches in the course of their campaign in the month-long competition. But while the two visiting squads wrapped up their stints in contrasting fashions – with Kurashiki winning all its six games and Kinh Bac-Bac Ninh dropping all its five matches – they both left lasting marks for the other teams to soak up.
For one, the Japanese cool, calm and collected stance is one thing worth emulating. Dragged into a nerve-wracking five-setter in the finale, they never backed down and showed grace under pressure that saw them fight back from 12-13 down and snatch the decider, the match and the championship on a three-hit closing roll.
Asaka spiked her remarkable showing with a 29-point output, matching her effort in their debut against Kinh Bac-Bac Ninh last July 22, while Kyoka held the team together with her feeds, finishing with 19 excellent sets with five points to boot and edging Asaka for the Finals MVP honors.
Akane also made quite an impression with a 14-hit game, Yukino and Miho matched 11-point showing and Saki ended up with 10 markers.
“I’m very happy (with this victory),” said Asaka, whose last contested serve clinched the championship for Kurashiki. “I thought my serve wasn’t in good condition but I was thinking I would like to finish it with a spike.”
She also admired the Filipinos’ happy mien, saying: “Even in bad situations, they’re still smiling and I think we need to be like them.”
For her part, Kyoka thanked the fans who supported them, adding: “We enjoyed it, we played under pressure with so many fans cheering for Creamline. But we played as a team and it’s a good win.”
She also cited counterpart Jia de Guzman’s stellar game and the Filipinos’ strong play.
“She’s good, her plays are so hard to read and I learned a lot from her,” said Kyoka.
“Filipino players are strong and we wish to be able to play again before a big audience,” she added.
If and ever the league would extend its invitation to Kurashiki again, expect the local fans to easily identify Asaka and Kyoka, along with the rest of this talented bunch of top-notch players.
