KOBE Shinwa University pulled off a herculean upset over Creamline, 27-25, 25-23, 23-25, 25-21, in the 2025 PVL Invitational on Tuesday at the Philsports Arena.
With its biggest PVL win yet, the Japanese side stayed in the hunt for the last spot in the winner-take-all championship game against PLDT where it can become the third foreign guest team to reach the final round.
Kobe Shinwa and Chery Tiggo now share 2-1 (win-loss) records, both with two games left.
READ: PLDT books PVL Invitational finals seat after ZUS' loss to Cignal
Kokoro Yasuma posted 23 points and 12 receptions, leading all scorers in the match to tow the young Japanese squad to victory.
"When Creamline had big leads, that was when we were making many mistakes. With the support of my teammates, I was able to recover," Yasuma said.
"I am happy with the win and it gives us confidence. Next game, I hope I can still do more."
She was backed by a pair of 16-point outings from Arisu Ishikawa who also had 12 receptions and Nagisa Komatsuda who posted eight digs.
An embattled Creamline side finds itself on the verge of missing out on two straight PVL Finals for the first time ever.
Even a spot in the bronze-medal game is uncertain for the reigning Invitational champions with a dismal 1-3 card.
It also lost back-to-back matches for only the third time in franchise history and twice in the last two months since yielding to Cignal and ZUS Coffee in succession in the 2025 PVL on Tour.
Too close for comfort
Unlike its straight-sets loss to PLDT, Kobe Shinwa forced Creamline to play catch-up for the most part.
The Japanese wards had an eight-point lead, 16-8, in the first frame before the Cool Smashers rallied all the way to a 21-all deadlock. A fierce comeback wasn't enough to repulse Kobe Shinwa who still had the set in its hands through Reira Miyazaki's quick drop.
The second set saw Creamline lead by as much as six before Yasuma took over to extend the lead at two sets to none.
Jema Galanza, who had a triple-double of 20 points, 17 receptions and 11 digs in the loss, denied Kobe Shinwa's sweep bid even as they were able to erase two set points.
Pangs Panaga also had 20 points with six blocks, but it wasn't enough as Kobe Shinwa's late 7-1 run sealed a massive breakthrough.
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