ZUS Coffee steps in as Kurashiki Ablaze withdraws from PVL Invitational Conference

ZUS Coffee is stepping in for Kurashiki, which has withdrawn from the PVL Invitational Conference.

According to Kurashiki, its head coach Hideo Suzuki may have allegedly committed a violation of Japan Volleyball League regulations.

“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 an official statement.

“In response to this notification, our team has decided to immediately commence an internal investigation and suspend all activities until the details of the incident are fully clarified,” he added.

Following this development, the PVL extended an invitation to Farm Fresh team owner Frank Lao, who chose to have ZUS Coffee compete instead, citing manpower issues and lack of readiness on the part of the Foxies.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News