The Kurashiki Ablaze. Photo from PVL Media Bureau

MANILA (UPDATED) – The Kurashiki Ablaze are the bronze medalists of the 2024 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Invitational Conference after sweeping Est Cola, 25-22, 26-24, 25-20, in the third-place match on Thursday at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

The defending champions failed to retain their PVL crown after an unsuccessful bid to enter the finals as they fell to the Cignal HD Spikers in a five-set thriller, 23-25, 25-19, 23-25, 25-22, 11-15, yesterday in Pasig.

READ: PVL: No title repeat for Kurashiki as Cignal books Finals spot

Low Mei Cing led the offensive efforts of the winning side after putting up 14 and 13 points, respectively.

They also got the better of Est Cola's 22 errors while committing 13 of their own.

The second frame was a close call for the Ablaze, but an attack error from Est Cola and an off-the-block hit from Yukino Yano in the extended set made them install a 2-0 lead.

Eventually, a block courtesy of Low Mei Cing in the final canto ended the hopes of Est Cola for a podium finish in the country's premier volleyball league.

During the postgame interview, coach Hideo Suzuki, through a translator, expressed desire in rejoining another Invitational Conference.

In the first time around, the Japanese club defeated Creamline to be the first none PVL team to win in the local league.

"Kung may chance next year, gusto nilang [sumali] ulit," he said.

Warisara Seetaloed paced Est Cola with 14 points.