MANILA, Philippines – sThe PLDT High Speed Hitters defeated Thailand’s Nakhon Ratchasima QminC VC in a thrilling five-set match before losing their last Pool D match in the 2025 AVC Women’s Champions League. Against one of Southeast Asia’s most formidable volleyball teams, the Philippine representative lost 24-26, 20-25, 25-20, 25-20, 9-15 in a match that demonstrated their development and determination.

The game, which was played at the famed Rizal Memorial Coliseum, attracted both spectators and commentators since PLDT played at a level that keeps improving with each international appearance. The High Speed Hitters fought hard to win the third and fourth sets, forcing a decisive fifth set, even though they had lost the first two. The team’s performance was encouraging, demonstrating that they can compete with some of Asia’s top volleyball clubs.

The offensive burden was mostly taken by Canadian-Filipina star Savannah Davison, who led PLDT’s onslaught. Throughout the game, she was a continual threat because of her quickness, offensive effectiveness, and general court presence. When PLDT was about to lose in straight sets, Davison’s leadership was essential in changing the course of events.

Wilma Salas, a Cuban reinforcement, stepped up as well; his calm and expertise helped to settle the court. Salas played a key role in the pivotal third and fourth sets, as PLDT gained momentum thanks to her astute shot selection and defensive reads. The team’s attacking speed and playmaking steadiness were greatly enhanced by the contributions of local players Kianna Dy and Rhea Dimaculangan. Throughout the match, Dy’s strong swings and blocking presence were constant, and Dimaculangan’s timely sets and astute decision-making under duress maintained the flow of the attack.

In order to counteract Nakhon Ratchasima’s aggressive style, the coaching staff, under the direction of head coach Rald Ricafort, made significant alterations in between sets. The Thai team, which was made up of both foreign recruits and seasoned members of the national team, was a clear favorite. To keep PLDT in the game, Ricafort and his staff, however, successfully switched around the players, used defensive tactics, and placed a strong emphasis on ball control. In the middle frames, where the High Speed Hitters took advantage of serve pressure and transition moves to win the next two sets, their tactical changes paid off very nicely.

Despite losing in the final, PLDT’s entire performance demonstrated its ongoing growth on the global stage. More significantly, they secured a quarterfinal berth against Kazakhstan’s Zhetysu VC, the top-ranked club in Pool B, thanks to the close match, which earned them the second seed in Pool D. Zhetysu is a formidable opponent in the knockout stage because of their solid net defense and potent hitters.

PLDT is still hopeful going into the quarterfinals, though. As they get ready for another top-tier match, they should benefit greatly from the lessons they acquired from their fight against Nakhon Ratchasima. They have the capacity to improve even more if they can adapt, overcome setbacks, and take on an experienced opponent.

PLDT is concentrating on areas that require improvement in order to be ready for the quarterfinals, especially serve receive, transition defense, and reducing unforced errors. The squad is still working to improve its system, foster trust in rotations, and strengthen the communication that was key to their most productive periods throughout the game.

For younger players and first-time international competitors in particular, the tournament experience has been priceless. The High Speed Hitters gain self-assurance and camaraderie with every game, learning how to handle the mental and physical strain of intense competition. Despite not winning, their performance against Nakhon Ratchasima has earned the team a great deal of respect and strengthened their sense of belonging on this level.

For Philippine volleyball, the AVC Women’s Champions League continues to be a significant milestone, and PLDT’s campaign is assisting in increasing the visibility of regional players and teams. Being the only Filipino team still in the running, PLDT is responsible for representing the nation in a major competition that attracts the top volleyball players in Asia.

Fans and onlookers will be closely monitoring the start of the knockout phase to see if PLDT can sustain its impressive run.