MANILA, Philippines — Erstwhile champion Kurashiki Ablaze managed to finish with another medal in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) 2024 Invitational Conference after making quick work of the Under-20 EST Cola, 25-22, 26-24, 25-20, in the battle for third place at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024.Kurashiki bowed to Cignal at the end of the preliminary round and was relegated to the bronze medal match.Making the best out of the circumstance, Kurashiki dominated the under-20 team and made the podium. 'Losing over Cignal yesterday (Wednesday), the team reset their mindset. It is still a good opportunity for the team to play in the Philippines, that's why we give our best in every game,' head coach Suzuki Hideo. In the third frame, Kurashiki pulled a 15-6 run capped by Saki Tanabe's kill to take an early nine-point lead. The young EST Cola squad showed grit as Pumnin Napatson, Phontham Papatchaya,and Nattharika Wasan conspired to pull an 11-4 rally and move closer at 17-19.Kurashiki, however, responded with back-to-back hits courtesy of Tanabe and Low Mei Cing for a 21-17 lead.But Warisara Seetaloed fired back with two consecutive kills of her own to keep the hopes of EST Cola squad alive.With the young Thailand club's scrambling, Tanabe sent the ball back to take a 22-19 cushion.Seetaloed powered an off-the-block hit, 22-20, but that was it for the EST Cola squad as Kurashiki used a 3-0 rally to finish the match.Cing led Kurashiki with 14 points, while Tanabe added 13.EST Cola's Seetaloed chipped in 14, and Natthawan Phatthaisong scored 11.
