Japan V. League team Kurashiki Ablaze issued an official apology to Filipino fans after withdrawing from the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Invitational conference.
The PVL management confirmed the development earlier this week, explaining that the Japanese club team was facing an internal issue with their head coach, Hideo Suzuki.
Official Statement
“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,” Ablaze Co. Ltd. Representative Director Daisuke Watanabe said in a statement cited by Inquirer.
The Japanese club team said that it has suspended all of its activities while investigations are ongoing regarding Suzuki’s violation.
“It is with great regret that we must inform you of our decision to withdraw from participating in the PVL Invitational.
“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this sudden decision, made so close to the start of the tournament, may cause to all parties involved,” Watanabe added in the team’s official statement.
Kurashiki Ablaze first competed in the PVL Invitational conference back in 2023, where they defeated top club team Creamline Cool Smashers in a five-setter match to bring home the gold medal.
Despite losing some of their key players, the Japanese team went back to the Philippines to defend their title during the 2024 edition.
However, they failed to secure the top prize, settling for third place after defeating Thai volleyball team EST Cola during the battle for bronze.
Kurashiki Ablaze and fellow Japanese team Kobe Shinwa University were supposed to be the invited guests for this year’s PVL Invitational conference.
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Zus Coffee Thunderbelles take on challenge
With the sudden withdrawal of Kurashiki Ablaze, Philippine club team Zus Coffee Thunderbelles officially replaced them for the 2025 conference.
Kurashiki’s spot was offered to PVL on Tour fifth-placers Farm Fresh Foxies but team owner Frank Lao decided to field in the Foxies’ sister team instead.
With only limited time to prepare for the competition, Zus players are ready for the challenge in the Invitational conference.
Battle for glory
The 2025 PVL Invitational conference officially kicked off on Thursday, with the Creamline Cool Smashers defeating the Cignal HD Spikers in five sets, 22-25, 25-17, 22-25, 25-11, 15-8, during the opening game of the tournament.
The second game of the day saw the PLDT High Speed Hitters beating the Chery Tiggo Crossovers in straight sets, 25-16, 25-14, 25-20.
Before the Invitational conference started on Thursday, PLDT won the pre-season tournament PVL on Tour on August 17.
They faced the Chery team and claimed their maiden PVL title after winning in five sets, 25-17, 25-17, 19-25, 24-26, 15-8.
As the lone foreign team in the conference, Kobe Shinwa University are expected to rely on the Japanese volleyball system to claim the top spot.
The young Japanese team was already invited during the previous Invitational conference but had to withdraw from the tournament due to health issues.
Kobe will face Zus on Saturday for their first game in the 2025 PVL Invitational conference.
They then take on PLDT on Monday (August 25), Creamline on Tuesday (August 26), Cignal on Thursday (August 28), and Chery on Friday (August 29).
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