The Creamline Cool Smashers and Petro Gazz Angels still have a clear shot at making the quarterfinals of the 2025 AVC Women's Champions League, with the PLDT High Speed Hitters already through to the next round.
It was a rough second day for the Philippine squads at the 2025 AVC Women’s Champions League. Fortunately, the road to the quarterfinals is far from over for both Petro Gazz and Creamline.
Fresh from a back-to-back opening day sweep, the local bets faced a reality check on Monday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig, where both squads absorbed stinging losses against seasoned international foes.
The Petro Gazz Angels, just over a week removed from their PVL All-Filipino Conference title celebration, stumbled in their Pool B opener against Taiwan’s Kaohsiung Taipower, 15-25, 16-25, 25-19, 20-25.
Meanwhile, the Creamline Cool Smashers wrapped up pool play in Pool A with a 1-1 record after suffering a straight-set defeat, 16-25, 17-25, 17-25, to Kazakhstan’s Zhetysu VC.
Despite the twin losses, both teams are still well within reach of the quarterfinals.
How Petro Gazz can qualify
For Petro Gazz, the equation is simple: win and you’re in.
The Angels are set for a crucial must-win match against Hong Kong’s Hip Hing, who also hold a 0-1 record following their loss to Taipower.
[ALSO READ: No championship hangover for Petro Gazz even after AVC defeat, says Brooke Van Sickle]
A win will hand Petro Gazz the second seed in Pool B and punch their ticket to the knockout rounds.
How Creamline can qualify
Creamline’s fate, however, is now out of their hands.
With a 1-1 record, the Cool Smashers need Zhetysu to defeat Jordan’s Al Naser in their Pool A finale.
[ALSO READ: Creamline’s Kudryashova draws on familiarity against Zhetysu, looks ahead to potential QF push]
Should the Kazakhstan side prevail, Creamline would secure the second seed and a spot in the quarterfinals.
PLDT’s fight for top seed
While both teams find themselves in different scenarios, one Philippine squad has already booked a place in the next round.
The PLDT High Speed Hitters, who won their first Pool D match against Australia's Queensland Pirates, are already through to the quarterfinals but still have one more match left.
[ALSO READ: Kianna Dy marks first start for PLDT in AVC win, says she’s ‘85 percent’ back to form]
Next up for them will be a high-stakes battle for the top seed against Thai powerhouse Nakhon Ratchasima.
Securing the No. 1 spot would give the High Speed Hitters a more favorable path in the knockout stage.
[ALSO READ: Wilma Salas on joining PLDT for AVC Women’s Champions League: 'I feel like I'm home here']
As pool play winds down, the competition is only expected to heat up even further, with the best of the best fighting for the two slots in the FIVB Women's Volleyball Club World Championships.