LEARNING CURVE
In a field filled with much taller and athletic squads armed with different playing styles and a lot more experience, PLDT knew that it was an uphill battle in the AVC Women’s Champions League.
And the High Speed Hitters couldn’t scale what looks to be the highest peak in the tournament, bowing out of contention after losing in straight sets to Zhetysu VC of Kazakhstan, 25-13, 25-22, 25-20, in the quarterfinals on Thursday at PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
“In general, the other teams are just on a higher level,” coach Rald Ricafort said in Filipino after his crew gave its all but still fell way short against the talented Kazakhs.
“What made it difficult for us is the experience of the [opposing] clubs as a team, their exposure [and] they have been together for a long time,” Ricafort said, but not without taking something away from his team’s first international stint.
“So for us to be getting this experience together is something we need to cherish, because this will make up for the bonding and team chemistry.”
The Kazakhs advanced to face Nakhon Ratchasima in the semifinals after the Thai squad bamboozled PVL powerhouse Creamline, 25-15, 25-22, 25-16, in the nightcap.
Anyse Marlee Smith put up 13 points while Onuma Sittirak and Sasipapron Janthawisut contributed 12 points apiece, as the Thais made short work of the Cool Smashers and their three imports.
Last PH club alive
And that has left Petro Gazz as the lone PH side standing, with the Angels to battle Chinese power Beijing BAIC Motor for survival on Friday at 7 p.m.
PLDT was able to move past the preliminary round after finishing second in its group and drawing the top-ranked Kazakhs in the quarters. That would be the High Speed Hitters’ last stop, as Zhetysu VC overwhelmed the local crew with its height, smart plays and good attack angles.
The Kazakhstan crew hasn’t lost a set in three total games, and playing that kind of team was a good example of what the High Speed Hitters would want to be as they get more experience playing together for chemistry.
“But with the trends that I can see, we are not that far from them,” Ricafort said.
Kazakhstan dazed the locals with their style of play. The visiting squad also had a noticeably better floor defense.
After losing the opening frame, PLDT threatened to take the second set using a 5-0 run to take a 21-20 lead, but the Kazakhs regained control just in time for a 2-0 set lead.
Zhetysu surged to a 19-15 advantage in the third with Kristina Anikonova’s attack before PLDT chopped that down to 20-19. However, the much taller Kazakhs nailed the match shut with a 4-0 run.
“We will eventually reach their level. Maybe it was just easier for them because there was nothing happening to Philippine volleyball for some time because of the pandemic,” Ricafort said.
Tatyana Nikitina powered the Kazakhs to the semifinals with 19 points from 14 attacks and four blocks, Karina Denisova helped with 15 points made up of 13 attacks and two blocks while Yuliya Dymar added 11 attack points for Zhetysu.
Wilma [Salas, the PLDT import] shared with us some technical stuff that she knew for a long time already, and we are still learning those,” Ricafort said. “But we can see the good progress, so for sure we will catch up.
“It’s a matter of how we will continue to have these kinds of experiences.”
Savi Davison top-scored for PLDT with 13 points, all but one from attacks, while Salas contributed 11 points and Dell Palomata seven points.
