Nakhon Ratchasima celebrates throughout a win within the AVC Champions League.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.web
MANILA, Philippines — Nakhon Ratchasima gave Australia’s Queensland Pirates the boot with a 25-10, 25-16, 25-12, to finish the 2 quarterfinals berths in Pool D within the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Champions League on Monday at Philsports Area.
Nakhon Ratchasima’s win additionally clinched the quarterfinal berth for PLDT as the 2 groups conflict for Pool D high seed on Tuesday at 4 p.m.
American reverse spiker Anyse Smith led the Satan Cat with 13 factors and 5 glorious digs. Greek import Evangelia Chantava chipped in 12 factors, constructed on 9 kills, two blocks, and an ace.
READ: AVC: Thai coach Jang Bualee has full circle second in return to PH
Anyse Smith after main Nakhon Ratchasima to a profitable debut within the #AVCChampionsLeague
Smith is able to face PLDT on Tuesday for the No.1 seed in Pool D. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/VRJjawQmbu
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) April 21, 2025
“I really feel like our sport, we got here out on hearth, we did what we would have liked to do, and all of us believed in one another and we received the victory,” mentioned Smith. “We had a sport plan from the beginning – to verify all of us did our half and contribute. We actually targeted on our serves, and I really feel like we did nice.”
Queensland, a three-time champion in its dwelling nation, bowed out of the 12-team event with a 0-2 document, a day after getting swept by PLDT, 19-25, 12-25, 12-25.
Scarlett Rudder and Lilyana Stanojevic led the Pirates with eight factors every.
In the meantime, Beijing Baic Motor pulled off a reverse sweep of VTV Binh Dien Lengthy An, 22-25, 21-25, 25-19, 25-13, 15-10, to finish a two-game Pool C sweep.
Jin Ye unleashed 30 factors off 24 kills, 4 aces, and two blocks on high of 10 glorious digs. to finish a comeback from two units down and end the elimination spherical with a 2-0 document, a day after sweeping Iran’s Saipa Tehran, 28-26, 25-22, 25-19.
READ: Kaohsiung, Baic Motor open AVC Champions League with sweeps
“Ye is taking part in nicely. I’m completely satisfied not simply together with her efficiency right this moment but additionally with the management she brings to the group,” mentioned Qi. “She’s considered one of our veterans, and he or she did precisely what we would have liked from her,” mentioned Baic Motor coach Kuang Qi via an interpreter.
Shan Lanfeng backstopped Ye with 20 factors off 14 assaults, 4 blocks, and two aces. Lu Yufei chipped in 14 factors, whereas Shen Hongyi added 9 factors. The trio conspired within the fifth set to tug away with a 13-7 unfold and by no means appeared again,
Baic Motor will face the second seed in Pool B, composed of PVL All-Filipino champion Petro Gazz, Chinese language Taipei’s Taipower, and Hong Kong squad Hip Hing.
“I’m accustomed to the native groups right here. I’ve been right here earlier than. However now we have a youthful group this yr and all we need to do is carry extra expertise again to China in order that we don’t have any stress on us,” mentioned coach Qi.
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Vi Thi Nhu Quynh led Vietnam with 22 factors. Tran Thi Thanh Thuy had 20 factors, whereas Russian import Lijewska Natalia added 12 factors.
Binh Dien Lengthy An and Saipa Tehran conflict for the final quarterfinal berth in Pool C on Tuesday at 10 a.m.