TOO SMALL: PLDT falters against towering Kazakhs

Kazakhstan powerhouse Zhetysu imposed its will at the net and exploited its clear height advantage to sweep PLDT, 25-13, 25-22, 25-20, and clinch a semifinals berth in the 2025 AVC Women’s Volleyball Champions League on Thursday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

Backed by a frontline composed mostly of players standing six feet and above, the nine-time Kazakh champions overwhelmed the High Speed Hitters with their towering presence and steady execution in the quarterfinals of the week-long tournament.

“I’m very happy because we won today. I expected the team from the Philippines to be good — we watched their game against Thailand, and we knew they wouldn’t give up easily,” Zhetysu head coach Marko Gršić said.

“We were ready for them, and I’m glad my team played very well today, especially in blocking. We deserved this win.”

Tatyana Nikitina delivered 19 points off 14 attacks, four blocks, and an ace, while team captain Karyna Denysova added 15 markers for Zhetysu.

Yuliia Dymar chipped in 11 points for the Kazakh side, which has yet to drop a set in the tournament.

Zhetysu’s superior size gave PLDT trouble all match long, especially at the net, where the Kazakh squad made a killing with 12 well-timed kill blocks compared to just four of the host team.

PLDT, fresh off a tough five-set loss over Thailand’s Nakhon Ratchasima, couldn’t keep up with Zhetysu’s relentless assault and intimidating defensive wall.

For PLDT, the match served as a humbling but eye-opening experience — especially for Filipino-Canadian Savi Davison, who was held scoreless in the first set before finishing with 13 points off 12 attacks and one block.

“I think the biggest lesson for me was the first set. I don’t think I got one point. And that just goes to show — they’re just big,” Davison said.

“It’s hard to compete against that big of a team when you’ve been competing against average 5-foot-10, 5-foot-8 PVL players throughout the season. You’re going from attacking wherever you want to having to attack not even on the floor — it has to go out. It’s a lesson, but like Kath (Arado) said, I’m just proud of the team for showing out.”

The 26-year-old outside hitter also praised Arado’s effort on defense, noting the libero’s incredible hustle against Zhetysu’s relentless offense.

“Kath did a super job. I don’t know how she did it. But we definitely wouldn’t have been able to compete without her as well as we did because it was a super offensive team as well.”

Cuban import Wilma Salas added 11 points for PLDT, which kept it close in the third set before fading in the closing stretch.

Kianna Dy briefly trimmed the deficit to 15-16 with a drop ball, but unforced errors and timely hits from Kristina Anikonova and Denysova allowed the Kazakh side to pull away.

Valeriya Yakutina delivered the final blow with a kill to end the match.

Despite the loss, PLDT gained valuable experience competing against taller, seasoned opponents — a crucial step in their development as they continue to make waves in the regional scene.

Zhetysu, meanwhile, marches into the semifinals with confidence, staying on course for one of the two coveted Asian slots in the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championships.