PLDT makes it 3 PH teams in AVC Women’s Champions League
PLDT High Speed Hitters during a PVL game.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines will field three squads when it hosts the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Women’s Champions League with PLDT joining Creamline and Petro Gazz.
Hours before the draw in Bangkok, Thailand, the AVC granted the host Philippines, another slot for the inaugural club tournament from April 20 to 27 at Philsports Arena in Pasig.
Creamline and Petro Gazz were the first teams to earn the right to play in the Champions League after topping the preliminary round of the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference and advancing to the quarterfinals.
READ: Jia De Guzman won’t join Creamline in AVC Champions League
With another slot awarded to the host, the High Speed Hitters received the allocation after finishing fourth in prelims and advancing to the quarterfinals against Choco Mucho in a best-of-three series.
Also confirmed for the tournament are Thailand’s Nakhon Ratchasima QminC and Vietnam’s VTV Bình Điền Long An.
The drawing of lots to determine match schedules and groupings takes place on Wednesday at 3 p.m.
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PLDT coach Rald Ricafort is happy to be part of the continental meet, looking forward to competing at the highest level.
“We’re happy to be part of it and play in a higher level of competition. We’re going to learn and gain a lot of experience playing in it,” he said. “We’ll do our best to represent PLDT and our country especially that we’re the host.”
PLDT, which is entitled to have two imports since Savi Davison’s federation is with Canada, remained focused on its ongoing campaign in the PVL against Choco Mucho starting on Saturday.
“For sure, it will be very challenging since this conference is long, so we need to make sure we maintain the players’ condition. In terms of mindset, we’re still focused on our upcoming games with Choco Mucho. It’s one game at a time for us,” said Ricafort
The Alas Pilipinas, carrying the club team of Cignal, will compete in the AVC Champions League men’s in Osaka and Kyoto, Japan, from May 11 to 18.
Bryan Bagunas, the FIVB Men’s World Championship ambassador, is in Bangkok to attend the draw.
