AC Miner feels determined to turn her standout rookie campaign with ZUS Coffee in the 2025 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference into the launchpad for something even greater.
The fifth overall pick of the recent PVL Rookie Draft was nothing short of sensational in her first official campaign with the Thunderbelles, carving out a major role in the starting six and establishing herself as one of the team’s most reliable pieces.
In the end, she helped steer ZUS Coffee to its first-ever Finals appearance and capped her remarkable campaign by clinching the Rookie of the Conference award — edging out top pick Bella Belen of Capital1, No. 2 pick Jean Asis of Galeries Tower, No. 3 pick Alohi Robins-Hardy of Farm Fresh, and Nxled’s Lyann De Guzman, among others.
“Siyempre, very big confidence booster kasi di ko inaasahan na makakakuha pala ako ng ganitong award,” the 23-year-old middle blocker said after their loss to Petro Gazz in the PVL Reinforced Conference Final last Sunday night.
Miner averaged 10.18 points per game in the Thunderbelles’ best campaign in franchise history. She powered them to a 7-1 elimination-round slate and commanding sweeps in both the quarterfinal and semifinal before ultimately falling to the Angels in four sets in the championship match.
But what’s even more impressive is how she showed no sign of pressure on the league’s biggest stage. Miner dropped 16 points in the finale — her best outing of the conference — imposing her will above the net and carrying the scoring load alongside American import Anna DeBeer, who finished with 18.
The 5-foot-11 middle blocker also finished eighth in blocking (0.55 per set) and ranked second among rookies in scoring with a total of 82 after the elimination round.
Miner expressed utmost gratitude to her teammates and the ZUS Coffee franchise for the trust, support, and belief that pushed her to rise beyond what she thought she could deliver.
“Very fulfilling kasi first year ko and nakarating kami rito. Di ako makakarating dito kung hindi dahil sa teammates ko — very grateful lang,” said the product of FEU-Diliman.
“Drinaft ako ng ZUS and very grateful for the playing time na ibinibigay nila sa akin. So, I think mas marami pa kaming mararating in the future dahil nasimulan ko na ito.”
And as she wrapped up her breakout campaign, Miner said this is only the beginning, noting that she’s eager to keep improving and contribute even more to the Thunderbelles moving forward.
“Sana magtuluy-tuloy. But start pa lang ito, so paninindigan ko itong award na ito.”
