LIVE: 2025 AVC Champions League quarterfinals – April 24

2025 AVC Champions League quarterfinals – Creamline Cool Smashers, PLDT High Speed Hitters, Petro Gazz Angels

April 24, Thursday – Philsports Arena

4pm – Zhetsu VC vs PLDT High Speed Hitters
7pm – Creamline Cool Smashers vs Nakhon Ratchasima Qmin C

Petro Gazz didn’t even have two weeks to celebrate its PVL All-Filipino Conference title romp, with the Angels now contending for more than a club championship in a league that’s certainly a lot tougher.

“Past is the past. It’s a different stage. This is like a much higher [level] like this is crazy volleyball right now,” Brooke Van Sickle said of the Angels’ stint in the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Champions League. “[They are] all champions from Asia, so I’m really glad to have this opportunity.”

Remy Palma and the Petro Gazz Angels in the AVC Champions League pool phase. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Tuning out the noise, Remy Palma kept the Petro Gazz Angels steady as they transitioned from a historic PVL All-Filipino Conference to the tougher challenge of representing the country in the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Champions League.

Palma delivered six points in Petro Gazz’s bounce-back win over Hip Hing of Hong Kong, 25-8, 25-12, 25-12, to complete the quarterfinal cast on Tuesday at Philsports Arena.

The Petro Gazz captain’s leadership shone in the must-win game, helping the team join Creamline and PLDT in the quarterfinals after their opening day loss to Taipower of Taiwan.

Gia Day and the Petro Gazz Angels in the AVC Champions League. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Gia Day and Brooke Van Sickle found their rhythm just in time to power Petro Gazz into the quarterfinals of the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Champions League.

A day after a four-set loss to Taipower, Day erupted for 18 points to lead Petro Gazz past Hip Hing of Hong Kong, 25-8, 25-12, 25-12, on Tuesday at Philsports Arena. The win completed the quarterfinal cast.

The American outside spiker credited her teammates and the team culture for helping her play freely.

PLDT High Speed Hitters’ Kath Arado during the AVC Champions League tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Inspired by the opportunity to play internationally–this time, with PLDT–Kath Arado proved that she still capable of providing a steady floor defense against the top Asian spikers.

Behind PLDT’s gallant stand from two sets down against Nakhon Ratchasima was Arado’s tremendous floor defense as she finished with 28 digs and nine excellent receptions.

“I’m just really enjoying the game right now. Opportunities like this don’t come often, so I’m making the most of it. When I found out who we were grouped with, I got really excited — and even before the game, I was already getting into the proper mindset,” said Arado in Filipino. “During training, I really studied what our opponents were going to do. I’m super thankful to my teammates too, because it wasn’t easy, but they were there to guide and support me.”

MARLO CUETO/INQUIREr.net

Playing in its first international tournament, PLDT knows that it will have to step up big-time in order to contend in the Asian Volleyball Confederation Champion’s League that’s filled with high-caliber teams.

That’s why even after taking a 26-24, 25-20, 20-25, 20-25, 15-9 loss at the hands of powerhouse Thai crew Nakhon Ratchasima QminC VC on Tuesday at PhilSports Arena, the High Speed Hitters are seeing a very thick silver lining moving forward.

“[What we are doing] is paying off little by little,” seasoned libero and captain Kath Arado said, proud of pushing the rock-solid Thais to the limit before dropping to 1-1 to finish second in Pool D that sealed a quarterfinal clash with Pool A top seed Zhetysu VC on Thursday.

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