Nakhon Ratchasima celebrates during a win in the AVC Champions League.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Nakhon Ratchasima gave Australia’s Queensland Pirates the boot with a 25-10, 25-16, 25-12, to complete the two quarterfinals berths in Pool D in the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Champions League on Monday at Philsports Arena.
Nakhon Ratchasima’s win also clinched the quarterfinal berth for PLDT as the two teams clash for Pool D top seed on Tuesday at 4 p.m.
American opposite spiker Anyse Smith led the Devil Cat with 13 points and five excellent digs. Greek import Evangelia Chantava chipped in 12 points, built on nine kills, two blocks, and an ace.
READ: AVC: Thai coach Jang Bualee has full circle moment in return to PH
Anyse Smith after leading Nakhon Ratchasima to a winning debut in the #AVCChampionsLeague
Smith is ready to face PLDT on Tuesday for the No.1 seed in Pool D. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/VRJjawQmbu
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) April 21, 2025
“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.”
Queensland, a three-time champion in its home country, bowed out of the 12-team tournament with a 0-2 record, a day after getting swept by PLDT, 19-25, 12-25, 12-25.
Scarlett Rudder and Lilyana Stanojevic led the Pirates with eight points each.
Meanwhile, Beijing Baic Motor pulled off a reverse sweep of VTV Binh Dien Long An, 22-25, 21-25, 25-19, 25-13, 15-10, to complete a two-game Pool C sweep.
Jin Ye unleashed 30 points off 24 kills, four aces, and two blocks on top of 10 excellent digs. to complete a comeback from two sets down and finish the elimination round with a 2-0 record, a day after sweeping Iran’s Saipa Tehran, 28-26, 25-22, 25-19.
READ: Kaohsiung, Baic Motor open AVC Champions League with sweeps
“Ye is playing well. I’m happy not just with her performance today but also with the leadership she brings to the team,” said Qi. “She’s one of our veterans, and she did exactly what we needed from her,” said Baic Motor coach Kuang Qi through an interpreter.
Shan Lanfeng backstopped Ye with 20 points off 14 attacks, four blocks, and two aces. Lu Yufei chipped in 14 points, while Shen Hongyi added nine points. The trio conspired in the fifth set to pull away with a 13-7 spread and never looked back,
Baic Motor will face the second seed in Pool B, composed of PVL All-Filipino champion Petro Gazz, Chinese Taipei’s Taipower, and Hong Kong squad Hip Hing.
“I am familiar with the local teams here. I have been here before. But we have a younger team this year and all we want to do is bring more experience back to China so that we don’t have any pressure on us,” said coach Qi.
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Vi Thi Nhu Quynh led Vietnam with 22 points. Tran Thi Thanh Thuy had 20 points, while Russian import Lijewska Natalia added 12 points.
Binh Dien Long An and Saipa Tehran clash for the last quarterfinal berth in Pool C on Tuesday at 10 a.m.
