Nakhon Ratchasima QminC VC ended Creamline’s campaign in emphatic fashion, grabbing a straight-set 25-15, 25-22, 25-16 to secure a spot in the semifinals of the 2025 AVC Women’s Champions League on Thursday night at the Philsports Arena.
The powerhouse Thai club, ranked first in Pool D, opened with a commanding start. They then held off the resilient Cool Smashers, the second-seeded team in Pool A, in the next two sets to book a semifinal clash with Kazakhstan’s Zhetysu VC in the tournament, which is supported by federation partners Mikasa, Mizuno, and Grand Sport.
Nakhon Ratchasima slammed the door shut in the third set, unleashing a decisive 8-2 run to turn a slim 10-9 edge into a sizable 18-11 cushion — one the Cool Smashers never recovered from — as the Thai side completed the sweep.
(C) PVL Images
Nakhon Ratchasima came out blazing from the start, racing to a scorching 15-4 start in the opening set behind the explosive duo of Onuma Sittirak and Anysee Smith to seize an early 1-0 lead.
The Devil Cat then weathered a brief scare in the second frame, with Sasipapron Janthawisut providing the spark off the bench to lift her squad back from an 18-19 deficit to move just one set away from sealing the victory.
“We’re gonna prepare for the semifinals, we have so many mistakes also (in this game) about our service, our reception. After this, we will go to practice and (prepare) for the semifinals,” said veteran Sittirak after the win.
“I feel like our game plan and us being able to go to practice and knowing what we want to come out and do, we established it early and we swept them today,” added Smith.
Smith once again led the attack with 13 points on 11 attacks, one ace, and a block laced with six excellent digs as Nakhon Ratchasima remained unbeaten in the Champions League, which is also supported by local partners PLDT, MWell, Eagle Cement, Rebisco, Akari, Gameville, PNVF, PSC, Cignal, and The Look Group
Sittirak came up with 12 points, all from attacks, along with five excellent digs and six excellent receptions, while Janthawisut had a double-double outing of 12 markers and 12 excellent digs on top of five excellent receptions.
Tichakorn Boonlert and Kaewkalaya Kamulthala chipped in nine points apiece for the Devil Cat.
Nakhon Ratchasima is set to clash with fellow top seed Zhetysu in a highly anticipated semifinal showdown on Saturday.
(C) PVL Images
On the other hand, the Cool Smashers were led by guest player Anastasiya Kudryashova and Bernadeth Pons with nine and eight points, respectively. The Russian winger chimed eight excellent digs as well.
Meanwhile, PVL Reinforced Conference MVP had four excellent digs and six excellent receptions as the fan-favorite Pinoy squad bowed out of the tournament organized by Sports Vision.
Kazakh middle blocker Anastassiya Kolomoyets was held to just seven points, while American outside hitter Erica Staunton was limited to just two markers.
