PLDT bowed out of the 2025 AVC Women’s Champions League after losing to Kazakhstan’s Zhetysu, 13-25, 22-25, 20-25, in their knockout quarterfinal on Thursday at the Philsports Arena.
The nine-time Kazakh champions won their third straight game to reach the Final Four, where Zhetysu faces either a grudge match against Creamline or a powerhouse showdown with perennial Thai champion Nakhon Ratchasima.
PLDT started poorly and it wasn’t until the second set wherein PLDT showed signs of life, overhauling a 16-5 blitz behind Savi Davison to wrest the lead, 21-20.
Then came a 5-1 Zhetysu run that foiled the late PLDT comeback and regained control for the visitors.
Davison wrapped up her first tour of duty for the flag with 13 points, nine digs and five receptions. Cuban import Wilma Salas capped her three-game debut run with the High Speed Hitters by dishing out 11 markers and 11 receptions.
Heart over height, still
A rare scoring drought for Davison in the opening frame was one she took in stride and will serve as arguably her most important lesson from her debut international stint.
"I think the biggest lesson for me was the first set. I don't think I got one point. That just goes to show that they have a lot. They're just big," said Davison.
"It's hard to compete against that big of a team when you've been competing against average 5'10, 5'8 PVL players throughout the season.
"You're going from attacking wherever you want to having to attack not even on the floor has to go out. It’s a lesson, but like Kath [Arado] said, I'm just proud of the team for showing out."
The Philippines still has two more chances to break into the Final Four of Asia’s biggest club competition as Creamline takes on Nakhon Ratchasima and Petro Gazz faces China’s Beijing BAIC Motor later in the day.
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