PLDT will join the 2025 AVC Women’s Champions League as the third Philippine team after the Asian Volleyball Confederation granted the host nation an additional slot.
The High Speed Hitters were given the slot following their fourth-place finish in the elimination round of the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.
“Happy naman na masama kasi higher level of competition. Maraming matututunan at makukuhang experience. We’ll do our best to represent PLDT and our country lalo na tayo ang host,” said PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort.
After securing a four-set win over ZUS Coffee in the qualifying rounds, the High Speed Hitters are deep in preparation for their upcoming best-of-three quarterfinals showdown against Choco Mucho.
Despite the unexpected inclusion to the AVC Champions League, Ricafort said the team has embraced the challenge but remains focused on their upcoming clash with the Flying Titans.
“For sure it will be very challenging knowing na mahaba itong conference ngayon so we have to make sure na ma maintain namin yung kondisyon ng players. Mindset wise, focus pa rin muna kami sa games namin with Choco. One game at a time pa rin,” he added.
(C) PVL Images
Bannered by Savannah Davison, Mika Reyes, and Majoy Baron, PLDT will be joining PVL top seed Creamline and second-ranked Petro Gazz in the prestigious tournament.
Davison, however, will be classified as an import in the competition as her federation is still under Volleyball Canada. Her switch to the Philippine National Volleyball Federation is still in process.
The competition will run from April 20 to 27, 2025, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Also confirmed for the tournament are Thailand’s Nakhon Ratchasima QminC and Vietnam’s VTV Bình Điền Long An.
The drawing of lots to determine match schedules and groupings will take place today (Wednesday).
