While PLDT’s reverse sweep attempt against Nakhon Ratchasima fell short in the fifth set, Kath Arado chose to focus on the silver linings.
Following the High Speed Hitters’ 24-26, 20-25, 25-20, 25-20, 9-15 loss to the Devil Cat in Pool D of the 2025 AVC Champions League, the PLDT captain remained proud of her team’s fightback — especially as it marked the return to form of several teammates coming off injuries.
Arado specifically lauded the performances of Kianna Dy and Kim Fajardo. Dy, the opposite spiker, tallied 12 points on 10 attacks, one service ace, and one block, while Fajardo skillfully quarterbacked the team’s surge in the third and fourth sets.
Even before the match, both PLDT and Nakhon Ratchasima had already secured their spots in the quarterfinals of the continental tournament.
“Happy po sa performance ng team, nagpe-pay off kahit onti-onti. Pero meron kasi talaga kaming… Hindi siya pine-pressure ng coaches eh, pero sobrang saya kasi si ate Kiana nakakabalik na, si ate Kim. So yung mga injury ng mga kasama ko nawawala na so sobrang saya ko kasi naku-kumpleto kami,” said Arado, clearly emotional about her teammates’ progress.
(C) PVL Images
Arado also stood tall in the match with 24 digs, and admitted she had been looking forward to facing the six-time Volleyball Thailand League champions ever since the pool draw was announced.
Nakhon Ratchasima, who settled for bronze in the 2024–25 VTL as Supreme clinched the title, remained a formidable opponent in the region.
“Nage-enjoy lang talaga ako sa game ngayon kasi bihira lang yung opportunity na ganito. Ine-enjoy ko and na-excite kasi ako nung nalaman ko ka-bracket sila, so nagmi-mindset ako before pa lang, sa training pa lang pinag-aralan ko yung gagawin nila. So malaking thankful din sa mga kasama ko kasi hindi din naging madali sa akin dahil nandun sila naka-guide din sa akin,” she added.
After receiving the heavy blows from one of Southeast Asia’s powerhouse squads, Arado now sets her sights on another challenge: defending against the offense of Kazakhstan’s Zhetysu VC in the quarterfinals.
The quarterfinals begin Thursday, following a one-day break on Wednesday.
Zhetysu VC made a dominant run in Pool A, notching commanding wins over both Creamline and Al Naser Club of Jordan.
“Yung mindset namin itutuloy namin kung ano yung naumpisahan namin dito sa Thailand kasi matatangkad din sila and hindi din kami pwedeng lumaban nang poweran sa kanila kasi nga matatangkad sila so babalik lang sa amin yung bola, so mahihirapan lang kami. So siguro mas mag-aaral pa kami kung ano yung igagalaw ng Kazakhstan.”
#WATCH: Kath Arado reflects on their performance against Nakhon, expressing satisfaction. She’s also thrilled to see Kianna Dy and Kim Fajardo making a strong comeback after injuries 🏐
📹 @justinvalencia_ /Tiebreaker Times#AVCChallengeCup #PVL2025 pic.twitter.com/Qw4Xp746Xu
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) April 22, 2025
