AVC: Thai membership ousts Queensland, battles PLDT for Pool D most sensible seed

MANILA, Philippines — Nakhon Ratchasima gave Australia’s Queensland Pirates the boot with a 25-10, 25-16, 25-12, to finish the 2 quarterfinals berths in Pool D within the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Champions League on Monday at Philsports Arena.

Nakhon Ratchasima’s win additionally clinched the quarterfinal berth for PLDT as the 2 groups conflict for Pool D most sensible seed on Tuesday at 4 p.m.

American reverse spiker Anyse Smith led the Devil Cat with 13 issues and 5 superb digs. Greek import Evangelia Chantava chipped in 12 issues, constructed on 9 kills, two blocks, and an ace.

READ: AVC: Thai trainer Jang Bualee has complete circle second in go back to PH

Anyse Smith after main Nakhon Ratchasima to a successful debut within the #AVCChampionsLeague

Smith is able 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,” stated 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 house nation, bowed out of the 12-team event with a 0-2 document, an afternoon after getting swept by way of PLDT, 19-25, 12-25, 12-25.

Scarlett Rudder and Lilyana Stanojevic led the Pirates with 8 issues each and every.

Meanwhile,  Beijing Baic Motor pulled off a opposite sweep of VTV Binh Dien Long An, 22-25, 21-25, 25-19, 25-13, 15-10, to finish a two-game Pool C sweep.

Jin Ye unleashed 30 issues off 24 kills, 4 aces, and two blocks on most sensible of 10 superb digs. to finish a comeback from two units down and end the removal spherical with a 2-0 document, an afternoon 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,” stated Qi. “She’s one of our veterans, and she did exactly what we needed from her,” stated Baic Motor trainer Kuang Qi thru an interpreter.

Shan Lanfeng backstopped Ye with 20 issues off 14 assaults, 4 blocks, and two aces.  Lu Yufei chipped in 14 issues, whilst Shen Hongyi added 9 issues. The trio conspired within the 5th set to tug away with a 13-7 unfold and not regarded again, 

Baic Motor will face the second one 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,” stated trainer Qi.

Vi Thi Nhu Quynh led Vietnam with 22 issues. Tran Thi Thanh Thuy had 20 issues, whilst Russian import Lijewska Natalia added 12 issues.

Binh Dien Long An and Saipa Tehran conflict for the ultimate quarterfinal berth in Pool C on Tuesday at 10 a.m.