Manila: Japan’s Kurashiki Ablaze has withdrawn from the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Invitational following an internal issue involving head coach Hideo Suzuki. Kurashiki, the 2023 defending Invitational champion, pulled out after the Japan Volleyball League informed the team of a ‘serious compliance violation’ allegedly committed by Suzuki.
According to Philippines News Agency, in response to the notification, the team decided to commence an internal investigation and suspend all activities until the details of the incident are fully clarified. Daisuke Watanabe, representative director of Ablaze Co. Ltd., confirmed this decision in an official statement.
The PVL then invited the fifth-placed squad from the PVL on Tour to complete the six-team field. An invitation was first extended to Farm Fresh owner Frank Lao, who chose to field the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles instead, as the Foxies are not yet ready with a full training roster. ZUS Coffee finished sixth in the PVL on Tour.
