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    Kurashiki coach eyes guest Filipina import, PVL encore

    Ablaze sets sights on return
    Jul 31, 2023
    kurashiki ablaze
    Kurashiki Ablaze aims to build good relationship with PH volleyball after PVL title romp.
    PHOTO: Patrick Romero

    KURASHIKI Ablaze head coach Hideo Suzuki already has his sights set on the club's future with Philippine volleyball after the club's unbeaten title run to the 2023 PVL Invitational Conference title.

    READ: Kurashiki Ablaze dethrones Creamline in thrilling PVL finale

    Speaking through an interpreter, Suzuki expressed his gratitude to PVL chief Ricky Palou and the Filipino fans for the warm welcome and the endearing support to the Japan V.League Divison 3 club in their week-long Invitationals stint.

    hideo suzuki tamaru asuka

    The champion coach heaped praise on the local club's strong offensive exploits and bared the possibility of tapping a Filipino guest player as a Kurashiki import in the near future.

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      And after a perfect six-game debut in the PVL's midseason tilt en route to the championship, Suzuki added that "if [Kurashiki] will be invited again, it is 100% sure that they will return."

      Kurashiki skipper and Finals MVP Ohshima Kyoka was delighted to feel the warmth from local supporters throughout their entire stay.

      As a setter herself, Kyoka underscored how her PVL stint became a learning curve upon learning from her Creamline counterpart Jia De Guzman, as well as the Cool Smashers' physical and block-oriented approach.

      Kurashiki vs. Creamline

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      For the league's first best outside spiker Tamaru Asaka, she and the team were "very happy" to experience Philippine volleyball as they gear up for their domestic league in two months' time.

      Asaka was also overwhelmed in gaining over 3,000 new followers on Instagram as an instant fan-favorite for Filipino supporters.

      Asaka highlighted a defining trait of their Filipina foes in the past week — pure optimism as she recalled how the local stars played "smiling volleyball," even when dealing with difficult in-game situations.

      And in its farewell tweet on Monday, the club confirmed its intent to return for the next staging of the PVL Invitational Conference.

      ">https://twitter.com/KurashikiAblaze/status/1685978541039697920?s=20]

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      "Thank you Philippines! We are also looking forward to next year," Ablaze said.

      Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph

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      Kurashiki Ablaze aims to build good relationship with PH volleyball after PVL title romp.
      PHOTO: Patrick Romero
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