Used to being a spark plug off the bench, Chai Troncoso manifested a bigger opportunity when she left Cignal before the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.
The outside spiker from Pavia, Iloilo found exactly what she was looking for after transferring to ZUS Coffee: a platform where she could fully showcase her skills on the PVL taraflex.
“This is what I want.
“Dito, talagang in-embrace ko yung opportunity knowing na sa Cignal nagiging off the bench nga ako. Ito yung gusto ko na maglaro ako, magkaroon ako ng playing time. And thank you kasi binigyan ako ng ZUS Coffee ng opportunity to play with them,” said Troncoso.
Her breakthrough moment came during ZUS Coffee’s dramatic 19-25, 25-23, 25-20, 23-25, 15-12 five-set victory over Cignal in the Play-In Tournament on Tuesday.
The win gave the Thunderbelles full control of their playoff fate, putting them just one victory away from securing a spot in the quarterfinals.
Troncoso delivered a conference-best performance with 21 points, tallying 15 attacks, four aces, and two blocks. She also impressed on defense with 17 excellent receptions.
Although thrilled with the crucial win, Troncoso admitted that facing her former team made the moment bittersweet.
(C) PVL Images
“Naiyak ako pero yun nga, I’m with ZUS na — bagong sistema, bagong team.
“Siguro, na-embrace ko na rin talaga yung role ko sa ZUS with the help of my teammates, coaches, and management para makarating kami kung saan kami ngayon. So, sa win na ito, parang rebuild ko kumbaga ako dito sa ZUS,” said the Central Philippine University product.
Now a bona fide main scorer for the Thunderbelles, Troncoso remains grateful to the HD Spikers for shaping her into the player she is today.
(C) PVL Images
“Siguro, may factor din na nakakuha ako ng confidence sa Cignal kasi yung nagiging mindset ng off-the-bench player is minimal lang yung binibigay na playing time, so talagang sini-seize namin yung opportunity na yun sa Cignal dati,” she said.
“And ayun, malaki rin yung tiwala ng mga coaches dati sa akin sa Cignal. And thankful ako dun.”
