With her loved ones watching her live, AC Miner dazzles for ZUS Coffee in Candon City.
ILOCOS SUR — AC Miner had some extra inspiration ahead of the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles’ final PVL On Tour group stage game at the Candon City Arena.
As the Thunderbelles looked to end prelims play on a strong note, Miner had her own support system over in Candon, with her mother Arnie Lopez, and family friends Jimmy Smith and Leanne Panganiban all embarking on an eight-hour drive from Manila just to watch her play live.
With the three seated by the venue’s patron area, Miner went on to play her best game in the PVL, finishing with a career-best 19 points, built on 15 spikes and four rejections to lead ZUS Coffee in their emphatic 19-25, 25-22, 18-25, 25-19, 15-6 victory against the Chery Tiggo Crossovers.
“Super thankful ako kay tito and sa mom ko na umabot dito para manood and laging nagsu-support sa team, hindi lang sa akin,” Miner told reporters moments after her impressive outing. “Nagpapasalamat din ako sa lahat ng mga sumusuporta sa team kasi dun po kami nagkakaroon ng laban po throughout the game.”
Apart from Miner’s loved ones, around 3,000 fans were also in attendance to catch their come-from-behind victory against the Crossovers, which served as another source of inspiration for the middle blocker.
Miner was just as happy to uplift the Ilocano fans’ spirits, given that Candon was affected by Typhoon Emong ahead of game day, while the habagat rains continue to cause inclement weather over the area.
“Nagpapasalamat po kami sa lahat ng mga nanood, and kami rin po, natuwa kami na napasaya po namin sila kahit umuulan. Kahit the past few weeks, walang nakitang araw, nagpapasalamat pa rin kami na tumuloy pa po kayo manood ng game kahit ganito ‘yung sitwasyon,” Miner said.
Miner also cherished the overall PVL On Tour experience, which has allowed the league to connect with fans outside of the National Capital Region. So far, the league has already held game days in Vigan, Batangas, Montalban, Ilagan, Passi, Cebu, and now, Candon.
Along with ZUS Coffee, Miner has already played in Montalban and Passi prior to their stop in Candon.
“Very fulfilling po kasi nabibigyan ng chance manood ‘yung mga province kasi ngayon nakakapag On Tour kami sa iba-ibang region, and nakakalaro kami sa ibang arenas. So very thankful po kami sa PVL,” she said.
More to improve on
Through five preliminary round games, Miner is putting up a solid 14.6 points for ZUS Coffee, and is the Thunderbelles’ second-leading scorer behind winger Chinnie Arroyo. Now back as a full-time middle blocker, the former Ateneo standout is also averaging around 0.50 rejections per set for the fast-rising Thunderbelles.
While she’s put together a strong start, Miner knows that she’s barely scratched the surface as a professional volleyball player.
“Siguro I’d say na more to improve on kasi hindi naman nagsa-stop ‘yung volleyball sa a couple of wins, couple of points. So tuloy tuloy lang ‘yung laban ko at ng team,” she said.
Just as impressed with Miner is ZUS Coffee tactician Jerry Yee. Still, the veteran mentor knows that as a rookie, Miner is still a work in progress, and can only get better as she adjusts to the professional scene.
“Ngayon na nga lang ‘yan eh. Ngayon na lang namin napapalabas ‘yung laro niya, so hopefully, tuloy tuloy,” Yee told reporters in a separate interview.
Up next for AC Miner and ZUS Coffee will be Galeries Tower Highrisers this August 2 at the Dasmariñas Arena, where they hope to book a last-chance ticket to the conference quarterfinals.
Images courtesy of the Premier Volleyball League.