PLDT high-speed batter in the AVC Champions League quarterfinals. –Marlo Cueto/Inquirer.net
PLDT knew it was a challenging battle in the AVC Women’s Champions League on a field filled with taller, athletic teams armed with a variety of performance styles and more experiences.
And the fast batsmen were unable to expand what they thought was the best peak in the tournament. They succumbed from the contest after losing in straight sets to Kazakhstan’s Zhetysu VC, 25-13, 25-22 and 25-20 in the quarter final at the Philsport Arena in Pasig city on Thursday.
“In general, the other teams are on a higher level,” coach Lald Licaffort said in Filipino after his crew gave it all, but still lacked against the talented Kazafs.
“What made it difficult for us was [opposing] Club as a team, their exposure [and] They were together for a long time,” Ricafort said, but he didn’t take anything away from his team’s first international stint.
“So, to put together this experience is something we need to cherish, because it complements the chemistry of our bonds and teams.”
Kazakhs advanced to face Nahon Ratchasima in the semi-finals after the Thai team surrounded 25-15, 25-22 and 25-16 in the night caps with bamboo.
Anyse Marlee Smith scored 13 points, while Onuma Sittirak and Sasipapron Janthawisut each contributed 12 points.
The last ph club is alive
And it leaves Petro Gaz alone standing on the pH side, and the angels fight to fight the Chinese powered Vik Motor for survival at 7pm on Friday
PLDT finished second in the group and was able to move past the spare round after drawing top-ranked Kazakhs at the accommodation. It would be the last stop for high-speed batsmen as Zhetysu VC overwhelmed the local crew with its height, smart play and excellent attack angle.
The Kazakh crews have not lost their sets in three games in total. Playing such a team was a good example of what a fast batsman would want as he grew more experience playing together for chemistry.
“But we’re not too far from them because there’s a tendency I can see,” Ricafort said.
Kazakhstan abandoned the locals in their style of plays. The visiting squad also had a remarkable superior floor defense.
After losing the opening frame, PLDT threatened to use a 5-0 run to get a 21-20 lead, but the Kazafs regained control in time for a 2-0 set lead.
Zhetysu surged to a 19-15 advantage for the third time with Kristina Anikonova’s attack before the PLDT was ticked 20-19. But the much higher Kazakhs closed the match with a 4-0 run.
“We’ll eventually get to their level. Perhaps it was easy for them as nothing happened to Philippine volleyball due to the pandemic,” Ricafort said.
Tatyana Nikitina led Kazakhs to the semi-finals with 14 attacks and 19 points in four blocks, while Karina Denisova supported 15 points, consisting of 13 attacks and 2 blocks, while Yuriya Dimar added 11 attack points to Zhetysu.