Kazakhs Sweep PLDT to Reach AVC Semifinals

Games Today (Friday)
4 p.m. – Taipower vs. VTV Binh Dien Long An
7 p.m. – Petro Gazz vs. Baic Motor

Zhetsyu VC emphatically shut the door on PLDT’s semifinal hopes with a dominant 25-13, 25-22, 25-20 sweep, becoming the first team to reach the Final Four of the AVC Women’s Volleyball Champions League at the Philsports Arena in Pasig on Thursday.

The Kazakhs showcased a masterclass in power and precision, overwhelming the High Speed Hitters with superior attacking and airtight net defense.

Zhetsyu tallied a 46-33 edge in attacks and a lopsided 12-3 advantage in blocks—figures that underscored their total control of the match and extended their undefeated run without dropping a set.

“There’s no secret—we just fight for every ball,” said Tatyana Nikitina, downplaying any notion of magic behind their dominant march to the semifinals.

The 24-year-old opposite hitter powered the Kazakhs with 19 points on 14 attacks, four blocks and an ace.

She capped her all-around performance with six excellent digs and two excellent receptions.

Team captain Karyna Denysova backed her with 15 points, including 13 attacks and two blocks, along with six digs.

Yulila Dymar added 11 points and eight digs, while Kristina Anikonova and Valeriya Yakutina chipped in nine and eight points, respectively.

“I’m very happy with the win, but I knew the Philippine team would fight back,” said Zhetsyu head coach Marko Gršić.

“After the first set, we expected them to respond, and we were ready for that challenge.”

“I’m proud of my team—they played very well today, especially on the block. I believe we truly deserved this victory,” he added.

Now riding a three-match sweep streak, Zhetsyu advanced to Saturday’s semifinal, where it will face the winner of the Nakhon Ratchasima vs. Creamline clash being played at press time.

With a finals berth and a potential ticket to the FIVB World Women’s Club Championship in Thailand at stake, Zhetsyu looks poised to continue its clinical run in the tournament organized by Sports Vision.

From the outset, Zhetsyu took the crowd out of the game with crisp execution and composure under pressure.

Even when PLDT briefly surged late in the second set, the Kazakhs remained unfazed, orchestrating a quick turnaround with clutch blocks and smart offensive plays, including a string of rejections that stopped Wilma Salas’ late push.

A brief lapse by Denysova gave PLDT hope in the third set, trimming Zhetsyu’s lead to 20-19.

But the Kazakhs responded with poise and precision, unleashing a decisive 5-1 finishing run.

The stretch was punctuated by back-to-back kills from Dymar and a lightning-quick hit by Yakutina, sealing the match and Zhetsyu’s place in the Final Four of the continental tournament.

The event is backed by global partners Mikasa, Mizuno and Grand Sports, and local sponsors PLDT, MWell, Eagle Cement, Rebisco, Akari, Gameville, PNVF, PSC, Cignal and the Look Group.

PLDT showed heart in Set 2, rallying from a 16-20 deficit to seize a 21-20 lead—highlighted by a block from Salas and a quick strike by Dell Palomata.

But Zhetsyu quickly regained control, staging another 5-1 run.

Yakutina anchored the surge with two clutch blocks on Salas, while Dymar fired a sharp crosscourt kill to clinch a two-set lead.

Entering the knockout stage with high hopes, PLDT fought bravely but struggled to match Zhetsyu’s superiority at the net and in transition play.

PVL All-Filipino Conference Best Outside Spiker Savi Davison led PLDT with 13 points on 12 attacks and added nine digs.

Salas followed with 11 points on nine attacks and two blocks, along with six digs.

Palomata added seven points from six attacks and a block, while Kianna Dy chipped in five points and five digs.

Team captain and defensive anchor Kath Arado, who had 28 digs in their previous match, once again showed her caliber with 17 digs and six receptions.

Despite Arado’s gritty effort—especially in Set 2—PLDT’s inconsistency in floor coverage and service reception proved costly.

Zhetsyu nailed four service aces and gave up none, exposing PLDT’s vulnerability in the backcourt.