Devil Cat Advance to AVC Quarters, Eliminate Pirates

Games Tuesday (April 23, 2025)
10 a.m. – Saipa Tehran vs. VTV Binh Dien Long An (Pool C)
1 p.m. – Al Naser Club vs. Zhetysu VC (Pool A)
4 p.m. – PLDT vs. Nakhon Ratchasima (Pool D)
7 p.m. – Hip Hing vs. Petro Gazz (Pool A)

Thailand’s Nakhon Ratchasima QminC made a dominant debut in the 2025 AVC Women’s Champions League, sweeping Queensland 25-10, 25-16, 25-12 on Monday at Philsports Arena to secure a quarterfinal berth in Pool D.

The Devil Cat left no doubt in the three-team group stage, clinching a quarterfinal spot while also lifting the PLDT High Speed Hitters into the next round.

Nakhon Ratchasima and PLDT will face off at 4 p.m. Tuesday to determine the top seed in their pool.

The top two teams in each of the tournament’s four pools advance to the quarterfinals.

Beijing Baic Motor earlier clinched the first quarterfinal slot with a 2-0 record in Pool C.

Queensland showed brief resistance in the third set, pulling within 10-9 after a service error by Sasipapron Janthawisut.

Nakhon Ratchasima quickly responded with a 10-0 scoring run led by Greek import Evangelia Chantava and Tichakorn Boonlert to stretch the lead to 20-9 and close out the sweep.

American opposite spiker Anyse Smith led the attack with 13 points and five excellent digs in a commanding performance.

Chantava added 12 points off nine kills, two blocks and an ace to fuel the win.

“I feel like our game—we came out on fire, we did what we needed to do, and we all believed in each other,” said Smith.

“We had a game plan from the start—to make sure we all did our part and contribute. We really focused on our serves, and I feel like we did great,” she added.

Janthawisut chipped in eight points and six excellent receptions, while Kaewkalaya Kamulthala scored five.

Sirima Manakij and Boonlert added four points apiece to cap off the one-sided victory.

The result underscored Nakhon Ratchasima’s title aspirations in the tournament backed by Mikasa, Mizuno, Grand Sport, PLDT, MWell, Eagle Cement, Rebisco, Akari, Gameville, PNVF, PSC, Cignal and The Look Group.

Queensland, a three-time national champion in Australia, exited the 12-team, 10-nation tournament with a 0-2 record after also losing to PLDT 25-19, 25-12, 25-12 on Sunday.

Scarlett Rudder led the Pirates with eight points, including four blocks, while Lilyana Stanojevic also scored eight in the losing effort.

In the quarterfinals, matchups will be A1 vs. D2, A2 vs. D1, B1 vs. C2, and B2 vs. C1 (Baic Motor).

Winners will advance to the semifinals on April 26, with the finals set on April 27.

The two finalists will earn spots in the FIVB Women’s World Club Championship in Thailand from Aug. 22 to Sept. 7.