AVC: Tough fight vs Thai champs shows PH volleyball ‘can compete’

PLDT High Speed Hitters’ Savi Davison during the AVC Champions League. -MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

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MANILA, Philippines — The PLDT High Speed Hitters may have fallen short of a reverse sweep against Nakhon Ratchasima, but their gritty stand against the seasoned Thai club proved that Filipino teams can compete at a high level in Asia.

Led by Savi Davison’s 28 points, PLDT erased a two-set deficit before eventually yielding in the fifth set, 24-26, 20-25, 25-20, 25-20, 9-15, to finish with a 1-1 record in Pool D of the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Champions League on Tuesday at Philsports Arena.

“I think it just goes to show that the Philippines can compete. They were, I think [bronze medalist] in their league so it’s a big deal for us to push them to five and it’s a big deal for us to come together and be able to do that especially here in the Philippines with so much support,” said Davison, who had 25 points.

Wilma Salas, who has been playing in Europe and is currently on her third stint in Manila, said she has always known the Filipinos belong on the Asian volleyball map.

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“I think the Philippines has power in this competition to show and to push the Thais. I think is a good way for more people in the world can see Philippine players,” said Salas, a seasoned Cuban player.

PLDT coach Rald Ricafort expressed pride in his squad’s performance against the six-time Thailand League champions ahead of their knockout quarterfinal match against Pool A leader Zhetysu of Kazakhstan on Thursday.

“Before we played Thailand, we already knew the level here was high—strong teams, fast games,” Ricafort said in Filipino. “But hey, the ball is round, right? No one expected us to win those two straight sets, but we pushed through and made it to the end.”

“We’ll see what happens against Kazakhstan. One thing’s for sure: we’re going all out and putting in the work. At least now, we’ve already experienced a tough game before facing an even stronger opponent,” he added. “We treat it all as a challenge, and we’re in a good place right now. Hopefully, we stay consistent—play hard, stick to the plan, and get the job done.”