After the withdrawal of the NEC Red Rockets due to the ongoing SV. League, PLDT was selected as the third team to represent the Philippines in the upcoming 2025 AVC Women’s Champions League, set to take place from April 20 to 27 at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
However, the High Speed Hitters’ preparations for their first international stint of the year suffered a major setback.
PLDT became the first team eliminated from the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference quarterfinals after a heartbreaking 15-25, 25-12, 23-25, 25-21, 13-15 five-set defeat to Sisi Rondina and Choco Mucho on Thursday evening at the same Pasig venue.
(C) PVL Images
While the early exit raises concerns about PLDT’s form heading into the AVC Women’s Champions League, Asian Volleyball Confederation president Ramon ‘Tats’ Suzara encouraged not just the High Speed Hitters but the entire 12-team field to see the bigger picture.
For Suzara, PLDT’s tough loss serves as a valuable lesson — not only for them but for all 14 teams — to analyze their strengths and weaknesses ahead of the tournament.
Alongside PLDT, the Philippines will also be represented by Creamline and Petro Gazz. Other participating teams hail from Thailand, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Jordan, and more.
“The games were very close, both were five-setters. I think when you have two teams who are really strong, it’s a matter of mind. Not all about power, it’s about mind games.
“PLDT lost, and of course, Choco Mucho I think is qualified for the semifinals, so I think it’s a good eye-opener for strong teams to really study the weakest points and strongest points of any team,” Suzara said during the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship Philippines 2025 Partnership Launch with Honda on Friday afternoon at the Galio Events Place in Parañaque City.
With Fil-Canadian spiker Savi Davison, team captain Kath Arado, Majoy Baron, and Erika Santos leading the charge, Suzara also urged head coach Rald Ricafort to utilize his entire roster for a stronger campaign in the Asian tournament.
That urgency stems from the high level of competition PLDT will face in Pool D, which includes Thailand’s Nakhon Ratchasima QminC and Vietnam’s VTV Binh Dien Long An.
“If you have five-setters, lahat ng 14 players should be ready to play. Don’t focus on the starting six, the second six should be ready too. That’s why in international competitions like Brazil or Italy, dapat yung 14 players are always ready when you have a five-setter because there are days when a player is okay, but there are days when they are not,” Suzara explained.
(C) PVL Images
Beyond hoping for a strong showing from the High Speed Hitters, Suzara’s ultimate wish is for all three Philippine teams to reach the final round as part of the tournament’s last eight standing squads.
Each team will need at least one win to boost its chances of advancing.
Petro Gazz will compete in Pool B against Taipei’s Taipower and Hong Kong’s Hiphing WVT, while Creamline will battle Jordan’s Al-Nassr and Kazakhstan’s Zhetysu VC in Pool A.
“I wish them good luck, but I still think that PLDT is ready for the Champions League. My wish is that all three [Philippine] teams will go to the next round, kasi they both play two matches ‘eh,” he shared.
“I hope they make it to the next round for the Top 8 because the bottom four will have to leave. I’m hoping na manalo lang tayo ng isa, pasok na tayo sa Top 8.”
#WATCH: BIG THINGS AHEAD
AVC & PNVF President Tats Suzara shares updates on the Champions League in Osaka & Manila, plus preparations for the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship 2025 🏐
📹 @ernesttuazon /Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/xXyrEzjT2n
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) March 21, 2025
