Two teams have emerged as the biggest surprises of the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference: ZUS Coffee and Galeries Tower.
Both the Thunderbelles and the Highrisers defied expectations to secure their spots in the quarterfinals, with ZUS Coffee overcoming a winless past and Galeries Tower shocking Cignal.
Earning their first victory was just the beginning for the Thunderbelles. They went on to claim crucial wins, dominating the play-in tournament to secure the seventh seed and the final spot in the quarterfinals.
On Tuesday night, ZUS Coffee continued to defy expectations, pulling off a stunning 25-21, 25-23, 27-25 straight-sets victory over second-ranked Petro Gazz to move within one win of a semifinal berth.
Meanwhile, Galeries Tower also turned heads earlier in the tournament by stunning Cignal in the qualifying round, earning a spot as one of the seeded teams in the quarterfinals.
While their success may have shocked some, Thunderbelles head coach Jerry Yee knew from the start that this breakthrough was coming.
(C) PVL Images
“I mentioned before na dadaan tayo sa ganyan. It’s a process na mahirap din talaga na di mo nakikita yung improvement pero nandiyan, and we know na kailangan namin dumaan diyan and we know na may heart break losses, close losses,” said Yee, reflecting on the growing pains they endured while losing their first 20 games.
“Surprised? Not really. Kasi ayun naman yung i-preach mo, ayan din yung kailangan mangyari. Ayun yung kailangan niyo malagpasan,” he added, emphasizing how their hard work has finally paid off.
A Game 2 victory on Saturday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo would send the Thunderbelles to the round-robin semifinals. A loss, however, would force a winner-take-all Game 3.
One key factor behind ZUS Coffee’s timely surge — now riding a three-game winning streak — has been the conference’s extended six-month schedule.
“‘Yung long format ng conference, nakakatulong sa isang bagong team tulad namin,” said Yee.
“So, it gives us a chance to work on our game, work on our plans, execute our plans. Ayan, buti na lang as the tournament progresses nag-iimprove yung chemistry, nag-iimprove yung kumbaga yung maturity ng team. So, malaking bagay.”
Captain setter Cloanne Mondoñedo orchestrated a balanced attack in their upset of the Angels, with Chai Troncoso leading the way with 14 points.
Jovelyn Gonzaga and Thea Gagate contributed 11 points each, while Mich Gamit and Chinnie Arroyo added 10 apiece to cap a total team effort.
