Creamline, Petro Gazz join PLDT in AVC Champions League quarterfinals

The Philippines' medal chances at the 2025 AVC Champions League got a huge boost after all three local clubs punched their tickets to the quarterfinals.

Both Creamline and Petro Gazz joined PLDT in the Final 8, which also features Kazakhstan's Zhetysu, Thailand's Nakhon Ratchasima QminC, Chinese Taipei's Taipower, Vietnam's VTV Binh Dien Long An, and China's BAIC Motor.

The Angels managed to enter the next round after sweeping Hip Hing of Hong Kong, 25-8, 25-12, 25-12 on Tuesday, bouncing back from a shock loss to Taipower the day prior. The Angels, the reigning PVL All-Filipino champions, ended the preliminaries at 1-1 to move forward.

The Cool Smashers, meanwhile, formally entered the quarterfinals following Zhetysu's three-set romp of Al Naser earlier today that allowed the Cool Smashers to wind up with an even 1-1 slate in Pool A.

PLDT, which had already clinched its QF slot yesterday following the Queensland Pirates' loss to Nakhon Ratchasima, ended the group stage strong by giving the Thais a huge scare on Tuesday.

The High Speed Hitters threatened a reverse sweep behind the efforts of Savi Davison and Wilma Salas, but ultimately fell to the powerhouse club in five sets, 24-26, 20-25, 25-20, 25-20, 9-15.

In the knockout quarterfinals, PLDT will take on Zhetysu while Creamline and Petro Gazz will slug it out against Nakhon Ratchasima and BAIC Motor, respectively.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News