KURASHIKI Ablaze has pulled out of the 2025 PVL Invitational Conference at the last minute, with ZUS Coffee set to step in.
A ‘serious compliance violation’ committed by head coach Hideo Suzuki was cited as the reason for the Japanese team’s late withdrawal.
“We regret to inform you that we received a notice from the Japan Volleyball League indicating that our head coach, Hideo Suzuki, may have committed a serious compliance violation,” said Daisuke Watanabe, the team’s representative director.
“In response to this notification, our team has decided to immediately commence an internal investigation and suspend all activities until the details of the incident are fully clarified.”
With investigations set to commence, the 2023 Invitationals champions were left with no choice but to forego their spot in the tournament.
“It is with great regret that we must inform you of our decision to withdraw from participating in the PVL Invitational. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this sudden decision, made so close to the start of the tournament, may cause to all parties involved,” Watanabe added.
From Farm Fresh to ZUS Coffee
Kurashiki’s vacated spot was initially offered to Farm Fresh as the fifth-ranked team in the 2025 On Tour.
The Foxies turned down the invitation, as they are currently ‘short of a full training roster,’ leaving them unable to make a second straight Invitationals stint.
The sixth spot in the tournament was eventually handed to the sixth-placed preseason team in the Thunderbelles.
As such, 2017 Philippine Superliga (PSL) Invitational Cup champion Kobe Shinwa University from Japan will be the lone foreign team in the 10-day tournament.
It will be joined by ZUS Coffee and On Tour semifinalists PLDT, Chery Tiggo, Cignal, and reigning titlist Creamline.
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