Only into their third PVL campaign, the revamped ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles seem to be brewing a competitive core for the 2024-2025 All-Filipino Conference.
From dropping their first 20 games in the PVL, the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles are now on a two-game winning streak to start the 2024-2025 All-Filipino Conference.
Eight days after their breakthrough win against the NXLed Chameleons, the Thunderbelles would go on to sweep the Galeries Tower Highrisers on Thursday 25-22, 25-16, 25-19 in their finest performance to date in their third PVL conference.
Chinnie Arroyo led the Thunderbelles’ charge with a game-high 14 points, followed by veteran Chai Troncoso’s 11 markers. Thea Gagate poured in nine points, while Mich Gamit and Jovelyn Gonzaga had seven apiece to complete a balanced attack on Thursday against Galeries Tower.
With a winning culture brewing up, head coach Jerry Yee is liking his Thunderbelles’ trajectory early into the new PVL season.
“Excited, siyempre. We see them practice, we see them improve. So, gusto namin ‘yung growth, gusto namin ‘yung maturity. Lalo yung dala ng mga veterans ang laki ng push para sa amin. So, hopefully, magtuloy-tuloy kami,” said head coach Jerry Yee.
Young stars with ample veteran players make up this ZUS Coffee core. Former College of St. Benilde standouts Cloanne Mondoñedo, Mich Gamit, and Gayle Pascual are now one conference older, along with ex-Farm Fresh players in Arroyo, Kate Santiago, and Joan Narit bringing additional experience.
Former Cignal stalwarts Jovelyn Gonzaga and teammate Chai Troncoso were also signed in the offseason, which added some veteran presence to this budding core. Last but not least, is first-overall pick Thea Gagate who is making her debut in this six-month-long conference.
And for Yee, this core has all the makings of a competitive team as they grow further into the new PVL season. Most if not all their players are now battle-tested, while the debuting Gagate brings over lessons from her time in Alas Pilipinas, and the La Salle Lady Spikers in the UAAP.
“Pag may talent talaga, malaki ‘yung difference. Pag higher tier ‘yung recruits mo, ‘yung klase ng recruits, malaking bagay,” Yee explained. “So Thea will be Thea agad, iba ‘yung nandiyan siya. Blocking, offense, may lamang ka na agad. Easier for us, easier for the team para mag-transition in offense and defense pag may height, may skills.”
“Hindi pwedeng kulang-kulang eh. Kasi may defense ka, pero wala kang opensa, wala kang blocking. So, ang hirap maglaro ng ganoon eh, kukulang-kulang. So, this time, in terms of height, meron kami. Skills, meron kami, ganda, meron kami…so better pag meron ka materyales. Pag wala, how can you work diba?”
Now, ZUS Coffee will look to build on the winning brew they’re cooking up early into the All-Filipino wars. Up next for them will be a sister team faceoff with the Farm Fresh Foxies on December 5 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, followed by a year-ender against the Creamline Cool Smashers on December 12 at the Philsports Arena.
And if their early games are any indication, the Thunderbelles are shaping up to be a team to watch as the PVL’s biggest conference to date continues unfolding.
“We are very excited, na ‘yung potential nakikita and somehow na-achieve. So slowly, maaga pa masyado eh. So step by step…so this particular step na na-achieve namin, na gusto namin at ine-expect namin, we’re very happy,” said the three-time NCAA champion mentor.
Banner image courtesy of the Premier Volleyball League.