Building on the momentum of a breakthrough campaign, ZUS Coffee has reinforced its roster with the acquisition of 2024 Reinforced Conference Best Libero Alyssa Eroa, signaling its intent to emerge as a legitimate title contender in the Premier Volleyball League.
The Thunderbelles are coming off a remarkable 2024–25 PVL All-Filipino Conference, where they achieved several key milestones: their first franchise win, their first winning streak, and, to cap it off, their first-ever playoff appearance since joining the league.
Now, with the addition of the 28-year-old defensive specialist — who also led Galeries Tower to its maiden playoff berth in the same tournament — ZUS Coffee is expected to significantly elevate its floor defense and challenge the league’s top-tier teams in the upcoming season.
Eroa delivered consistent numbers throughout the previous conference, averaging 16.6 excellent digs and 7.6 excellent receptions over 12 games across the preliminaries and qualifying rounds.
The San Sebastian alum also ranked third in digs with 4.28 per set, anchoring a Galeries Tower defense that finished among the top four in reception efficiency during the preliminaries.
Her arrival brings not just defensive prowess but also invaluable leadership — the same leadership that helped steer Galeries to a historic postseason appearance. Now, Eroa aims to bring that winning mentality to a revitalized ZUS Coffee squad eager to build on its success.
The 4-foot-11 libero is expected to take on the bulk of the defensive duties, stepping in for Jenina Zeta and the sidelined Julia Angeles, who suffered an ACL tear last conference.
She joins a solid core featuring Thea Gagate, Jovelyn Gonzales, Cloanne Mondoñedo, Chai Troncoso, Michelle Gamit, and Chinnie Arroyo — a well-balanced mix of youthful energy and veteran presence that the Thunderbelles hope will propel them deeper into the postseason.
ZUS Coffee turned heads during the All-Filipino Conference by snapping a 20-game losing streak to finally secure the franchise’s first win in the PVL.
Their Cinderella run didn’t stop there — they climbed to seventh place overall, their highest finish to date, and pushed eventual champion Petro Gazz to a thrilling three-game quarterfinal series.
With a defensive cornerstone in Eroa now anchoring the floor, the Thunderbelles are poised to reach even greater heights. For this rising squad, the only direction is up.
