Even in heartbreak, there is hope.
The PLDT High Speed Hitters may have fallen short in their electrifying comeback against Thailand's powerhouse Nakhon Ratchasima QminC VC, but for Savannah Davison and Wilma Salas, the match proved something far more important than the final score — that the Philippines can compete with the best of Asia.
In what turned out to be a five-set thriller at the 2025 AVC Women’s Champions League, PLDT nearly pulled off the unthinkable: a reverse sweep over the six-time Thailand League champions. After dropping the first two sets, the High Speed Hitters came alive, clawing back to force a decider before eventually bowing, 24-26, 20-25, 25-20, 25-20, 9-15. With the loss, they settled for the second seed in Pool D — but left the court with their heads held high.
“I think it just goes to show that the Philippines can compete,” said Davison, PLDT’s dynamic Canadian-Filipina outside hitter. “They were, I think, third 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.”
Indeed, the crowd at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum bore witness to something special: a Filipino team refusing to back down against one of Asia’s elite. With every diving save and fearless spike, PLDT brought a passionate energy that rattled the usually composed Devil Cat squad.
For Cuban import Wilma Salas, the message was clear.
“Yes, I think the Philippines has power in this competition,” the 34-year-old veteran said. “To show and push anytime. I think it’s good for more people in the world to see — the Philippines can play like this.”
The match served as a reminder that the gap between the Philippines and Asia’s volleyball giants is narrowing. Nakhon Ratchasima, with its rich legacy of Thai League dominance and multiple continental campaigns, was pushed to its absolute limit by a squad that continues to grow in confidence under head coach Rald Ricafort.
“Yun talaga ang binanggit namin before the game — basta ibuhos lang lahat,” Ricafort shared. “Wala nang mas high-level pa na makakalaro ka against a champion team from Thailand. So, sa nilaro namin, proud kami.”
The statistics, while favoring the Thai side, don’t capture the intangibles — the fearless swings of Davison, the poise of Salas, and the ever-reliable support of veterans like Kianna Dy and Rhea Dimaculangan. Set after set, PLDT refused to fade, responding with precision and heart.
It wasn’t the fairy tale ending they hoped for. But it was a performance that screamed resilience — and a warning shot to the rest of the tournament field.
Now, with the group stage in the rearview, the High Speed Hitters turn their attention to an even bigger challenge: a quarterfinals date with Kazakhstan’s top seed, Zhetysu VC. The Central Asian squad has been a powerhouse in their own right, known for their height, power, and experience.
But PLDT isn’t backing down.
“Yun nga, at least nakauna na kami ng isang hard game,” Ricafort said. “Tine-take naming challenge ‘to. Alam na namin ‘yung feeling na makalaro nang ganito kataas na level. So hopefully, same lang — trabaho ulit, laban ulit.”
The journey is far from over for PLDT. But after their near-upset of Nakhon Ratchasima, they’ve already achieved something priceless: belief.
Belief that they belong.
Belief that they can rise.
Belief that Filipino volleyball is ready to stake its claim among Asia’s finest.
