Kobe Shinwa University seeks to strengthen its bid for a finals berth when it takes on Cignal in the Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference on Thursday, Aug. 28, at the Araneta Coliseum.
By Kristel Satumbaga-Villar
Published Aug 27, 2025 01:40 pm
A victory for the Japanese collegiate team in their 4 p.m. tussle with the HD Spikers would hike their 2-1 win-loss tally and propel them into a blockbuster showdown with Chery Tiggo (3-1) at the close of the preliminaries on Friday, Aug. 29.
That pivotal duel would determine the final contender that would face PLDT in the knockout championship round.
PLDT, which sports a flawless 4-0 record, has already secured the first finals slot and is using its 6:30 p.m. tussle with ZUS Coffee to further boost its championship bid.
But focus is on Kobe Shinwa, who continued showcasing it youthful tenacity and speed in stunning multi-titled Creamline last Tuesday, Aug. 26.
The Japanese spikers are expected to use that morale-boosting victory in battling another veteran crew in the HD Spikers.
But Cignal isn’t about to be intimidated easily.
Despite being out of contention with a 1-3 mark, expect the HD Spikers to still go full force with national team standouts Vanie Gandler and libero Dawn Catindig teaming up with Erika Santos, Ishie Lalongisip and Erin Pangilinan at the core of their assault.
Now, they’re looking to close out their campaign on a high note by derailing Kobe Shinwa’s momentum.
But even if Cignal manages to overcome Kobe Shinwa, the Japanese squad could still book a Finals berth with a 3- or 4-set win over Chery Tiggo on Friday. In that scenario, both teams would finish with identical 3-2 records, but Kobe Shinwa would advance with 9 points, surpassing Chery Tiggo’s 8.
However, if Kobe Shinwa prevails in five sets, the tables turn. While both teams would still be tied at 3-2, Chery Tiggo would clinch the second Finals slot by virtue of having more total points.
Under the tournament’s scoring system, teams earn 3 points for a 3-0 or 3-1 win, 2 points for a 3-2 win, and 1 point for a 2-3 loss.
Currently, Chery Tiggo sits at 8 points, while Kobe Shinwa has 6.
