Pasig City, Philippines, April 22, 2025 – Thailand’s Nakhon Ratchasima QminC VC swept Pool D of the 1st AVC Women’s Volleyball Champions League after a thrilling tie-break win, 3-2 (26-24, 25-20, 20-25, 20-25, 15-9) on Tuesday afternoon at the PhilSports Arena.
Evangelia Chantava, who helped boost the Thai club to their second victory, underlined the entire team’s effort. “The fact that we didn’t give up and we played as a team was really important,” she said.
Teams went on to closely contend the start of the match. The Philippine club’s Savannah Davison and Wilma Salas dialed in their power hits while Anyse Smith and Evangelia Chantava comprised the Thai club’s armory. As each team played along the sideouts, Nakhon Ratchasima QminC VC took better control of the closing plays, finishing off the first set with a big block.
Setter Sirima Manakij steadied the Thai club’s play in the second set, bringing together a passing unit in cohesion with attackers. Smith and Chantava continued on their scoring mission and mounted a good lead.
PLDT High Speed Hitters tried to ignite with a string of points to force a scoring run, but late suffered to miscues to fall to defeat in the second set.
The Philippine side started with a new setter, Kim Fajardo, in the third set, to signal in a change of style and tempo. She activated the right flank with Kim Kianna Dy, while Dell Palomata grew more prolific in guarding the net.
At this time, Nakhon Ratchasima QminC VC were playing catchup, with captain Onuma Sittirak delivering consecutive markers.
PLDT High Speed Hitters regained their composure as Davison and Salas boosted the team to a third set win.
Determined to extend the match, the Philippine side employed efficient distribution of plays, and looked cohesive in transition. Dy connected in clutch plays, including a block to force the decider.
Both sides tried to outrun and outplay the other, showing their maximum even in exhilarating rallies. The Thai club grew more confident and decisive in attack, as their opponents crumbled in the closing plays with attack errors.
“Now we need to focus on the next game and do our best,” Chantava said.
Nakhon Ratchasima QminC VC and PLDT High Speed Hitters will head into the quarterfinals, awaiting confirmation of their respective matchups in the next phase.
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