Kurashiki-Creamline finale: Desire vs pride

MANILA, Philippines — Kurashiki Ablaze goes for a perfect tournament while Creamline tries to defend home turf and finds the spoiler as the two teams clash for all the marbles in a one-game Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference finale at the PhilSports Arena today.

The Japanese emerged victorious in their initial duel, 25-20, 25-21, 18-25, 25-14, just Friday, gaining momentum going to the gold-medal match at 6:30 p.m.

“We’re happy to beat the defending champions, but the finals is a different challenge for us,” said Kurashiki coach Hideo Suzuki via an interpreter.

Kurashiki outworked Creamline in that Friday tiff, with the former logging 59 spikes, 51 digs and 30 receptions as against the latter’s 51, 35 and 29.

It was pure hard work for Kurashiki, which is hoping to replicate, if not suprass, such solid performance when it goes for the crown.

“We really want to win, and it will be about desire and heart,” said Suzuki.

For the Cool Smashers, it will be about pride and keeping tradition. By making it this far, the proud franchise has already ensured itself of a 12th straight podium finish since it joined the league six years ago.