MANILA – PLDT High Speed Hitters fell short of their comeback bid against Nakhon Ratchasima QminC Cat Devil, 26-24, 25-20, 20-25, 20-25, 15-9, in the 2025 AVC Women’s Volleyball Champions League on Tuesday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
After the Cat Devil dominated the first two sets, the High Speed Hitters showcased their strength in the third and fourth sets as they dragged their Thai opponents to a fifth and deciding set.
The final set was closely contested, with both teams tied at 8-8 before the Cat Devil unloaded a 7-1 finishing attack to secure the top seed in Pool D with a 2-0 win-loss slate.
Anyse Marlee Smith led the Cat Devil’s offense with 16 points, including 13 attacks, two blocks, and one service ace, while Evangelia Chantava contributed 11 points, with nine attacks.
“I think the key to this win is we did not give up until the end,” Chantava said after the game. “PLDT is an amazing team; they played an amazing defense, they had a very good attack, and I am happy that we played as a team.”
Savannah Davison shone for the High Speed Hitters, scoring 21 points from 18 attacks, two blocks, and one service ace, while Wilma Salas added 16 points. They ended at second place in the pool with a 1-1 mark.
Meanwhile, Petro Gazz Angels displayed their championship form to defeat Hip Hing of Hong Kong, 25-8, 25-12, 25-12, and secure the remaining quarterfinals seat.
Gia Milana Day led the way for the Angels with 18 points, all coming from attacks, while MarJana Phillips and Brooke Van Sickle added nine and eight markers, respectively.
The newly-crowned PVL 2nd All-Filipino Conference champions Angels showed no mercy against Hip Hing by jumping to quick double-digit leads in each of the three sets en route to a convincing victory.
Sze-Man Kwan and Tsz-Ching Lam ended up with three markers apiece for Hip Hing, which dropped to a 0-2 record./PN
