Thailand's Nakhon Ratchasima QminC made an emphatic statement in its 2025 AVC Women’s Champions League debut, bulldozing past Queensland with a merciless 25-10, 25-16, 25-12 rout at the Philsports Arena on Monday to secure a quarterfinal spot in Pool D.
The Devil Cat left no room for doubt in the three-team group play, sharing the lead while pulling the PLDT High Speed Hitters into the next round. Nakhon Ratchasima and PLDT are set to clash at 4 p.m. Tuesday to decide the group’s top seed.
The top two teams in each of the tournament’s four pools move forward to the next round, with Beijing Baic Motor nailing the first quarterfinals slot with a 2-0 record in Pool C.
While Queensland showed a flicker of resistance in the third set – threatening at 9-10 after a service error by Sasipapron Janthawisut – Nakhon Ratchasima promptly slammed the door shut with a punishing 10-0 run powered by Greek import Evangelia Chantava and Tichakorn Boonlert, ballooning the lead to 20-9 and sealing yet another dominant frame.
American opposite spiker Anyse Smith led the offensive onslaught with 13 points and five excellent digs. Chantava chipped in 12 points built on nine kills, two blocks, and an ace in an all-around performance that reflected the team’s laser-focused execution.
“I feel like our game, we came out on fire, we did what we needed to do, and we all believed in each other and we got the victory,” said Smith.
“We had a game plan from the start – to make sure we all did our part and contribute. We really focused on our serves, and I feel like we did great,” she added.
Janthawisut contributed eight points and six excellent receptions. Kaewkalaya Kamulthala added five markers, while Sirima Manakij and Boonlert scored four markers apiece in the runaway win, which underscored Nakhon Ratchasima’s intent to contend for the crown in the tournament backed by Mikasa, Mizuno, Grand Sport, PLDT, MWell, Eagle Cement, Rebisco, Akari, Gameville, PNVF, PSC, Cignal and The Look Group,
Queensland, a three-time champion in its home country, bowed out of the 10-nation, 12-team tournament organized by Sports Vision with a 0-2 record, after also falling to PLDT, 19-25, 12-25, 12-25, on Sunday.
Scarlett Rudder led the Pirates with eight points, including four blocks, while Lilyana Stanojevic also added eight in the losing effort.
In the knockout quarterfinal round, it will be A1 vs D2, A2 vs D1, B1 vs C2 and B2 vs C1 (Baic Motor). Winners will advance to the semifinals on April 26 with the finals slated on April 27.
The finalists will earn slots for the FIVB Women’s World Club Championship set in Thailand from Aug. 22 to Sept. 7.
