Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
Red-hot PLDT keeps the fire burning bright in its PVL golden surge, dropping feisty Kobe Shinwa University of Japan in the knockout final to earn the 2025 Invitational crown amid a 13-game, 2-conference undefeated streak
MANILA, Philippines – Two titles in two weeks.
Proving their golden PVL preseason run was no fluke, the PLDT High Speed Hitters doubled down on their winning ways, battling fatigue on the way to the 2025 PVL Invitational title after beating Japan’s Kobe Shinwa University, 21-25, 31-29, 25-22, 25-18, at the Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, August 31.
Including the eight-game, eight-province PVL on Tour, the star-studded team heads off to a near-two-month break with a 13-game winning streak that showcased multiple key cogs like Savi Davison, PVL on Tour Finals MVP Mika Reyes, the resurgent Kianna Dy and Alas Pilipinas prospect Alleiah Malaluan.
Gaining momentum from a crucial, cardiac comeback in Set 2 that avoided a 2-0 hole, PLDT stayed in step with Kobe Shinwa with a late third-set surge to seize full momentum come the fourth frame.
With widening cracks in their armor, the Japanese standouts delivered attack errors one after the other to make up practically half the High Speed Hitters’ early 14-11 advantage that set the stage for the eventual blowout win.
Heads still held high, Kobe Shinwa now returns home to Japan with silver medals and valuable lessons after finishing the eliminations with a 4-1 record, highlighted by a captivating reverse sweep against PVL on Tour runner-up and former league champion Chery Tiggo to reach the knockout final.
Creamline goes 19-for-19 in podiums, caps 5th bronze
Meanwhile, mighty Creamline refused to go out empty-handed anew, as the Cool Smashers cruised to their fifth franchise bronze medal off a 25-15, 25-13, 25-22 demolition of rival Chery Tiggo.
Thanks to a game-high 17-point effort by former MVP Michele Gumabao, Creamline extended its eight-year podium streak to 19 straight appearances dating back to its inaugural conference in 2017.
Ageless Alyssa Valdez, meanwhile, flirted with a triple-double in just a three-set win with 9 points, 18 excellent receptions and 13 digs, as Jema Galanza backstopped Gumabao with 12 points.
Ara Galang and Cess Robles paced the sorry loss with 10 and 9 points, respectively, as the Crossovers fell out of the podium after being just one set away from reaching the knockout final against Kobe Shinwa. – Rappler.com
