Kobe Shinwa turns back Cignal, stays in title hunt

MANILA, Philippines —  There is a reason why Japan volleyball is world class.

It was in full display in the Premier Volleyball League Invitational last night as Kobe Shinwa University spanked Cignal, 25-7, 25-18, 19-25, 27-25, to enhance its title playoff ambition.

The youthful Japanese squad was in total control in the first two sets and, after blinking in the third set, recovered its rhythm in time to erase a 22-24 deficit and snatch the set and the victory at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

It was their third win in four outings that propelled Kobe Shinwa to a share of No. 2 with Chery Tiggo, whom the former will tackle in a big game at 4 p.m. today at the same venue.

It’s a knockout setto with the winner gaining the right to face PLDT (4-0) in a knockout finale  Sunday at the Big Dome.

“Filipinos are known for their big serves, that’s why we adjusted our reception,” said Kobe Shinwa spiker Nagisa Komatsuda through an interpreter.

Komatsuda fired a match-high 21 points, leading Kobe Shinwa in a trumping of the HD Spikers who dropped to 1-4.

Cignal had all the chances to send the match into a deciding fifth set but the Japanese team showed grace under pressure.