BATANGAS CITY — AC Miner is once again embracing a familiar challenge, and just as she has done before, she isn’t shying away from the opportunity to reinvent herself for the good of the team.
Returning to the ZUS Coffee lineup after missing the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference due to a shin injury, Miner has taken on a new role, transitioning from middle blocker to opposite spiker as the Thunderbelles continue to reshape their rotation.
“I’m accepting it well,” Miner said when asked about the position switch.
The move is a familiar one for Miner, who also played both middle blocker and opposite spiker during her final season at Ateneo de Manila University under Brazilian head coach Sergio Veloso in UAAP Season 87.
With Thea Gagate, Riza Nogales, Zam Nolasco, and fourth overall pick Nicole Ong giving ZUS Coffee plenty of depth in the middle, head coach Jerry Yee decided to maximize Miner’s versatility by shifting her to the opposite position.
The move also serves a long-term purpose. With veteran opposite spiker Jovelyn Gonzaga entering the latter stages of her illustrious career, Yee sees Miner as someone who can gradually provide added depth while preparing for a bigger role in the future.
“Ano naman eh, as long as willing ‘yung bata. Kasi ‘yung mga middles natin, hindi natin ma-maximize if tatlo sila or apat; may hindi maglalaro. So talagang merong isa na magsi-switch talaga,” said Yee.
“Nagta-transition na rin naman ‘yung mga opposite natin, so paunti-unti, nagpapakabata tayo kumbaga,” he added.
While Miner is confident she can grow into the role, she admitted the transition remains a work in progress, particularly when it comes to her floor defense — an area that requires a significant adjustment after spending most of her career as a middle blocker.
“So, ginagawa ko lang ‘yung trabaho ko sa depensa since ‘yun naman siguro ‘yung kulang ko as a middle — ‘yung defense sa back row. So, ‘yun pa rin ‘yung kailangan kong trabahuhin. Overall, well accepted naman ‘yung new role,” said the former Rookie of the Conference.
Fortunately for Miner, she has one of the country’s most accomplished opposite spikers guiding her through the transition.
Gonzaga’s experience has proven invaluable as Miner learns the nuances of the position.
(C) PVL Images
“I’m accepting it well, since ‘yung kapalitan ko, si Ate Jov (Gonzaga), isa sa mga veterans,” she said.
“Sobrang mahalaga kasi ni Ate Jov. Mas matagal na siyang naglalaro kaysa sa akin. With the help of the other veterans din, nagkakaroon ako ng kumpiyansa kasi hine-help nila ako para mas makatulong sa team at ma-boost din ‘yung confidence ko,” she added.
Yee believes the position switch could become a major boost for the Thunderbelles.
If Miner fully adapts to the role, ZUS Coffee would gain another legitimate scoring option on the wing while fielding a bigger, more versatile frontline capable of matching up better against the league’s top outside hitters.
Although Miner is still adjusting, Yee has been encouraged by her early performances, particularly her impact at the net during the Thunderbelles’ 2-0 start in the 2026 PVL On Tour Showdown.
“At least na-address natin. ‘Yung blocking, talagang malaki na improvement. Siyempre, maraming butas, like ‘yung floor defense natin; kailangan maalaga tayo. ‘Yung third ball natin kailangan maayos din,” said Yee.
Still, the ZUS Coffee mentor emphasized that Miner’s transition remains a long-term project. While the early signs have been encouraging, he believes patience and continued development will ultimately determine the success of the move.
“May pros and cons pero ganun talaga, we have to work.”
