Kobe Shinwa sends Creamline to back-to-back losses in PVL Invitationals

Kobe Shinwa University thwarted Creamline’s late rally to carve out a 27-25, 25-23, 23-25, 25-21 victory, handing the multi-titled club its second straight defeat in the 2025 PVL Invitational on Tuesday at the PhilSports Arena. 

The Japanese squad bounced back from a previous loss to PLDT and improved to 2-1 while the Cool Smashers slipped to a 1-3 record despite explosive outings from Jema Galanza and Jeanette Panaga. 

Kokoro Yasuma paced Kobe Shinwa with 23 points anchored on 21 attacks and two aces laced with 12 receptions while Arisu Ishikawa and Nagisa Komatsuda each poured in 16 markers. 

Panaga and Galanza, who starred in their fourth quarter surge, tallied 20 points each with the latter also registering 11 digs and 17 receptions to complete a triple-double outing. 

Once down 6-11 in Set 4, Creamline flaunted its depth with Lorie Bernardo capping a 6-2 run with a service ace as the Cool Smashers pulled within one, 13-12. 

But Kobe Shinwa wasn't intimated by the Creamline surge as they responded with a 5-0 blast that saw the visitors build a crucial 17-12 lead. 

Panaga tried to provide some spark anew with three straight points highlighted by two quick attacks that allowed Creamline to cut the deficit to four, 19-15, before Kobe raced to another huge cushion at 22-16.

But Creamline retaliated with a 5-0 run started by a pair of Sheena Toring points and capped by an off-speed kill from Galanza that allowed Creamline to trail by a solitary point, 21-22. 

Kobe Shinwa, though, closed the game out with Ishikawa unleashing a strong opposite attack against the block of Galanza and Toring. 

—JMB, GMA Integrated News