Kobe Shinwa sweeps undermanned ZUS Coffee to mark PVL debut

Kobe Shinwa University marked its Philippine debut in dominant fashion, making quick work of an undermanned ZUS Coffee with a 25-14, 27-25, 25-17 win in the 2025 PVL Invitational Conference on Saturday at the Philsports Arena.

The Japanese representative blanked the Thunderbelles to start their campaign at 1-0 while ZUS fell to 0-1. 

Nagisa Komatsuda led the charge for the visitors with 15 points laced with eight digs while Kokoro Yasuma chipped in 12 markers together with two receptions against the ZUS side that missed the services of Jovelyn Gonzaga, Cloanne Mondoñedo, and Thea Gagate. 

Without some of their stars, lefty opposite hitter Kate Santiago paced the Thunderbelles with 13 points anchored on 11 attacks and two blocks while Wielyn Estoque chimed in with 10 markers and seven digs. 

Kobe Shinwa stretched a slim 12-10 lead to a 22-13 cushion after Arisu Ishikawa punished the Filipinas with a strong kill from the opposite side as the Japanese cruised to a huge eight-point lead. 

ZUS then answered with a 3-0 rampage capped by a lifting violation called against Kobe Shinwa as they pulled within six. 

Ishikawa, though, spoiled the ZUS' run and unleashed another hammer from the right side before Shion Muku completed back-to-back quick plays to wrap up the straight-set win. 

—JKC, GMA Integrated News