Kobe Shinwa University is no stranger to adversity. After stumbling against PLDT in the elimination round of the 2025 Premier Volleyball League Invitational, the Japanese guest team finds itself with a chance at redemption — and a shot at history.
The High Speed Hitters handed the collegiate side its only preliminary-round defeat, dominating at the net in a 25-20, 25-22, 25-23 sweep. But instead of bowing their heads, Kobe Shinwa regrouped and answered with grit. The young squad strung together three straight victories, including a gritty reverse sweep over Chery Tiggo that punched their ticket to the finals on Friday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“In our last game, we lost all the close sets because of some errors — that’s something we’ll work on. We believe we still have a chance to win,” said team captain Sakura Furuta, who has been the engine of the squad’s offense.
Against PLDT, however, the challenge is steep. The High Speed Hitters have been untouchable, riding a 12-game winning streak that stretches back to the PVL On Tour. In their previous encounter, they towered over the Japanese side with an 11-1 blocking edge, highlighting the gap in size and experience between the two squads.
Head coach Kiyokazu Yamamoto knows this rematch will demand a different approach. “We saw that PLDT has a really good block. So, we’re thinking about how to handle PLDT’s blocking,” he said.
Furuta, who tallied 33 excellent sets in their semifinal win, echoed her coach’s sentiment. “PLDT has strong defense, a fast setter, and quick attacks. Our plan is to break their defense with aggressive serving,” she explained.
At an average height of just 5-foot-8, Kobe Shinwa relies on speed, precision, and sheer resolve. They’ve already proven they can weather storms, surviving back-to-back do-or-die sets against Chery Tiggo before sprinting away in the decider. Now, they stand one win away from becoming only the second guest team to hoist a PVL crown — a feat achieved just last year by Kurashiki Ablaze.
