Despite falling short in their comeback bid, Savannah Davison and Wilma Salas chose to focus on the positives after pushing Thai powerhouse Nakhon Ratchasima QminC VC to the limit in their 2025 AVC Women’s Champions League showdown.
PLDT came agonizingly close to pulling off a stunning reverse sweep, only to stumble in the final stretch against the Devil Cat in a heart-stopping five-set battle, 24-26, 20-25, 25-20, 25-20, 9-15, forcing them to settle for the second seed in Pool D.
But if there’s one silver lining to PLDT’s heartbreaking loss, it’s the resounding proof that the Philippines can stand toe-to-toe with the best on the Asian stage.
“I think it just goes to show that the Philippines can compete. They were, I think, [third place] in their league, so it’s a big deal for us to push them to 5. And it’s a big deal for us to come together and be able to do that, especially here in the Philippines with so much support,” said Davison.
Nakhon Ratchasima has long set the standard in the region, boasting six Thailand League championships and four appearances on the continental stage as the country’s representative in Asian club competitions.
On Tuesday night, though, the High Speed Hitters showed that Filipinos have what it takes — the heart, the grit, and the fire — to challenge Asia’s best, pushing a storied Thai behemoth to the brink and proving they belong on the international stage.
(C) PVL Images
Salas, PLDT’s lone reinforcement in the tournament, said their performance against the Devil Cat sends a clear message to neighboring nations — that the Philippines, too, can rise, compete, and push the region’s elite to their limits.
“Yes, I think Philippines has power in this competition, to show and push anytime. I think it’s good for more people in the world [to] see Philippines can play like this,” said the 34-year-old Cuban winger.
High Speed Hitters head coach Rald Ricafort couldn’t be prouder of the heart his team displayed, especially when facing a team of Nakhon Ratchasima’s caliber.
“Yun naman yung binanggit pre-game, basta ibuhos regardless naman ng result, okay kami. Yun na nga, wala nang mas ha-high level pa na makakalaro ka ng champion team from Thailand. So, sa nilaro namin, proud naman kami sa naging performance.”
The focus now shifts for PLDT to the quarterfinals, where they will face Pool A’s top seed, Zhetysu VC of Kazakhstan.
The High Speed Hitters are determined to channel their frustrations from this hard-fought battle and come out with a renewed intensity, ready to prove their worth on the big stage.
“Yun nga, at least parang nakauna na kami ng isang hard game before dun sa alam namin talagang mas may hihirap pa. Pero, tine-take kami [as] challenge,” said Ricafort.
“Tutal, okay naman kami ngayon. So, alam na namin medyo mas naka-gain kami ng experience na makalaro nang ganito. So, hopefully, same lang. Pe-perform, lalaro lang ulit at trabaho lang ulit against Kazakhstan.”
#WATCH: PLDT’s Rald Ricafort, Savi Davison, Kianna Dy, and Wilma Salas open up about their heartbreaking loss to Nakhon Ratchasima 🏐
📹 @justinvalencia_ /Tiebreaker Times#PVL2025 #AVCChallengeCup pic.twitter.com/mZ5WU3hZNW
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) April 22, 2025
