Michele Gumabao had nothing but high praise for Kyoka Oshima, Kurashiki Ablaze's playmaker and reigning Finals MVP, following her standout performance in their rematch at the 2024 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Invitational Conference.
Fresh off a thrilling 25-22, 25-22, 26-28, 25-21 victory over the Ablaze, Gumabao highlighted the improvements in Kurashiki’s offensive system, singling out Oshima’s influence in the team’s organized and potent attack. This marked a significant shift from their previous encounter in last year’s finals, where the Cool Smashers fell in five sets to the Japanese squad.
“Grabe yung bato rin talaga ng setter nila, she’s the same setter (from last year). I think with their import also, mas nadagdagan sila ng height and ng speed this year,” Gumabao said after their hard-fought victory on Sunday night.
Oshima, once again proving her worth as the driving force of Kurashiki, dished out 22 excellent sets, orchestrating a well-balanced offensive assault for her team. The Ablaze’s diverse attack saw seven players contribute at least five points, a testament to the setter’s ability to spread the ball effectively. Leading the charge for Kurashiki were Saya Taniguchi and Saki Tanabe with 14 and 13 points, respectively, while Mami Gondo added 11 points. Oshima herself contributed five points, showcasing her all-around skills.
Gumabao couldn’t help but admire the changes in Kurashiki’s play, noting how much more organized and efficient their attack had become compared to last year.
“Pareho yung defense pero mas iba yung atake nila ngayon. Parang mas organized yung attack nila, mas mabilis,” Gumabao observed.
Despite the fierce competition, the Cool Smashers managed to secure the win, thanks in large part to Gumabao’s leadership on the court. The 32-year-old opposite spiker delivered an outstanding 19-point performance, earning Player of the Game honors.
Gumabao credited Creamline’s success to the in-game adjustments made by head coach Sherwin Meneses and his coaching staff, whose strategic tweaks allowed the team to adapt to Kurashiki’s improved play.
“Siguro mas prepared pero pare-pareho naman talaga ‘yung preparations. In-game adjustments na lang din talaga,” Gumabao shared.
“Mas nakikinig talaga kami sa mga sinasabi ng coaches namin during the game kasi magaling talaga sila mag-adjust at ang bilis lang din nila maglaro at magbago ng play nila,” she added.
As Creamline looks ahead, they are set to face fellow unbeaten squad, the Cignal HD Spikers, less than 24 hours after their victory over Kurashiki. With little time to rest, Gumabao emphasized the importance of recovery and mental preparation for their next match against the red-hot HD Spikers.
“Proper rest. ‘Pag wala kaming game and wala kaming training, kailangan disiplinado talaga kami on how we recover and kung paano kami mag-prepare mentally. Since wala namang practice, nakakalaban naman namin sila lagi,” said Gumabao.
Gumabao knows that with such a tight schedule, recovery will be crucial. She stressed that the team’s focus is on ensuring they come into their next game fresh and prepared to play their brand of volleyball.
“Pagalingan na lang talaga ng recovery for tomorrow and how we’re going to play our game. Magfofocus na lang talaga muna kami sa sarili namin for tomorrow,” she concluded.
With both teams eager to maintain their unbeaten streaks, the upcoming clash between Creamline and Cignal promises to be a high-stakes battle, with Gumabao and her Cool Smashers aiming to ride the momentum of their victory over the reigning Invitational champions.
