The PLDT High Speed Hitters in the AVC Women's Champions League on April 24, 2025. PVL Media Bureau
MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – PLDT bowed out of the AVC Women's Champions League after suffering a 13-25, 22-25, 20-25 defeat against Zhetysu in the knockout quarterfinal on Thursday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
The High Speed Hitters made it close early in the opener, 9-8, but the Kazakhs pulled away midway, rallying to a dominant 16-5 run to clinch Set 1.
Set 2 was tightly contested, as Wilma Salas and Dell Palomata connived to unleash five unanswered points while banking on opposition errors to taste the lead for the first time at 21-20.
But the taller Kazakhs imposed their will, with Tatyana Nikitina leading the pack, blocking Salas at the net in back-to-back rallies as Yuliia Dymar finished the frame with an attack off Salas' hands for a 2-0 lead, 25-22.
The PLDT side showed signs of life after closing in at 21-20 in the third set, but that was it for them as the visiting squad rallied to a 4-0 run, capped by a semis-clinching spike from Zhetysu's Valeriya Yakutina to close out the match.
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Fil-Canadian spiker Savi Davison led the Pinoy team with 13 points built on 12 attacks and a block to go with nine excellent digs and six excellent receptions, while Salas delivered 11 points on nine attacks and two blocks including 11 excellent receptions.
Libero captain Kath Arado showed her defensive prowess with 17 excellent digs and added three excellent receptions.
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Palomata had seven points, while Kim Kianna Dy continued her resurgence, contributing five markers.
Despite exiting early, the High Speed Hitters remained proud of their performance.
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"Siguro, coming from the Thailand game, naging proud naman kami sa ginalaw namin, definitely, mas mahirap talaga 'yung game today," said coach Rald Ricafort.
"Sa 'kin naman, sobrang proud. Proud talaga ako sa ipinakita ng team. ‘Yung tutok kasi talaga ng bawat isa, kahit ‘yung mga coaches na talagang i-instruct talaga kami point-by point. Kinapos man pero madami kaming natutunan tsaka ‘yung gulang talaga namin medyo kulang pa," said Arado.