Kath Arado took pride in the PLDT High Speed Hitters' hard-fought five-set battle against Nakhon Ratchasima Qmin C VC in the 2025 AVC Women's Champions League.
Despite falling just short of a huge comeback, PLDT High Speed Hitters took plenty of positives from their hard-fought five-set battle against Nakhon Ratchasima Qmin C VC in the 2025 AVC Women’s Champions League at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig on Tuesday, April 22.
The High Speed Hitters pushed the six-time Thai League champions to the limit before yielding, 24-26, 20-25, 25-20, 25-20, 15-9, missing out on a golden opportunity to take control of Pool D.
Team captain Kath Arado, who anchored the team’s floor defense with 24 excellent digs, lauded the team’s effort throughout the match.
She also expressed excitement in seeing Kianna Dy and Kim Fajardo getting more minutes for the team after their injuries.
“Masaya ako sa performance ng team kasi kahit onti-onti, nagpa-pay off ‘yung mga pinaghirapan namin,” Arado said after the match. “At higit sa lahat, sobrang saya ko kasi nakikita ko bumabalik na sa court ‘yung mga teammates ko na galing injury — sina Ate Kiana, Ate Kim — kaya excited talaga kami na kumpleto na kami.”
Arado admitted she had mentally prepared early for the matchup, especially after learning their AVC bracket included the seasoned Thai squad.
“Sa training pa lang, pinag-aralan ko na ‘yung galaw nila. Kaya nung game, nage-enjoy lang ako, sinasabi ko sa sarili ko, bihira lang ang ganitong opportunity kaya sulitin na,” Arado explained.
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Despite the loss, Arado and the rest of the High Speed Hitters will be taking plenty of learnings from their five-set battle against the Devil Cat.
“Siguro dun pa kami medyo nagkulang—‘yung gulang at veteran experience nila ramdam talaga—pero natuto kami, at ia-apply namin sa susunod,” said Arado.
Finishing as the second seed in Pool D, PLDT will go up against Pool A’s top seed Zhetysu VC in the quarterfinals.