Nakhon Ratchasima QminC VC flirted with disaster but regained composure just in time to repel a stunning comeback bid by PLDT, eking out a thrilling 26-24, 25-20, 20-25, 20-25, 15-9 win and clinching the top spot in Pool D of the 2025 AVC Women’s Champions League Tuesday at the Philsports Arena.
What started as a show of dominance by the Thai powerhouse quickly turned into a nail-biting five-setter, with the High Speed Hitters mounting a gutsy fightback to erase a two-set deficit and force a decider.
But when the pressure mounted in the fifth, the Devil Cat dug deep, fending off the Filipinas' momentum and closing the match with a decisive 8-1 finishing kick.
The victory gave Nakhon Ratchasima a perfect 2-0 card in the group stage of the tournament backed by Mikasa, Mizuno and Grand Sport.
PLDT had looked poised to complete a reverse sweep, even snatching the lead at 8-7 in the decider behind Majoy Baron and Cuban import Wilma Salas.
But Greek reinforcement Eva Chantava stepped up for Nakhon Ratchasima, coming through with a pinpoint crosscourt hit to level the score. But it was the Thai squad’s successful challenge on a centerline violation by Kianna Dy that swung momentum back to their side.
A misconnection between Palomata and Salas disrupted PLDT’s rhythm, and though Salas briefly cut the lead to 9-10, the High Speed Hitters’ offense sputtered late, enabling the Thai side’s attack to flourish.
Saowapha Soosuk and Kaewkalaya Kamulthala sealed the victory with clutch hits, capitalizing on two crucial Salas errors that crushed PLDT’s hopes of topping the group.
“We never gave up and we played as a team – that was very important,” said Chantava, who finished with 16 points off 13 attacks and three aces. “PLDT played amazing defense and had great attackers. We had to adjust to their game.”
Nakhon Ratchasima now moves on to face Creamline, Pool A’s second seed, in the quarterfinals of the tournament organized by Sports Vision and supported by PLDT, MWell, Eagle Cement, Rebisco, Akari, Gameville, PNVF, PSC, Cignal, and The Look Group.
Meanwhile, PLDT faces a tall order in the knockout quarterfinals as it takes on Pool A top seed Zhetysu VC on Thursday.
