ANTIPOLO CITY — ZUS Coffee finally broke through in the Premier Volleyball League on its 21st try.
After finishing winless in the 2024 All-Filipino Conference and the 2024 Reinforced Conference, the Thunderbelles skidded to 20 straight losses, including their opening match in the 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference against Akari last Thursday.
On Tuesday, ZUS Coffee finally ended months of heartbreak with a 19-25, 25-23, 25-22, 25-15 victory over Nxled at the Ynares Center here.
For head coach Jerry Yee, the arrival of veterans Jovelyn Gonzaga and Chai Troncoso proved instrumental in helping the young Thunderbelles snap their lengthy losing streak.
(C) PVL Images
“‘Yung mga veterans, ang laking bagay sa amin kasi we know the tempo, we know the fight, we know the hits, pero ang ‘di namin alam is ‘yung pag-slow down, ‘yung mag-drop kung kailan kailangan mag-drop lang, ‘yung mag-place kung kailan kailangan mag-place lang. Hindi ‘yung hataw kami nang hataw. Puro kami gigil,” shared Yee after the match.
“They complement the young energy ng mga bata. Paminsan kasi, you just don’t teach slowing down. Tinatanong ko nga kina Jov, saan ba nabibili ‘yan eh,” he added with a chuckle.
Gonzaga, a former Cignal HD Spiker, led the way with 23 points, converting 20 of her 30 attack attempts and adding three blocks. She also made her presence felt on defense, tallying 12 digs.
Since joining ZUS Coffee last month, the 5-foot-8 opposite spiker has been relentless in instilling confidence in her teammates.
“Ako personally, gusto ko ibigay ‘yung kumpiyansa and tiwala kasi once na mabuo ang kumpiyansa nila, magiging maganda ‘yung performance ng team,” said Gonzaga.
“So far, evident din kanina sa fourth set na nandun kumpiyansa nila. As much as possible, bilang isa sa mga [veterans], ‘yun ‘yung gusto kong i-instill sa kanila. And again, kailangan ko mag-step kasi naglo-look-up sila. Kumbaga kailangan ko mag-step-up para maging smooth,” she explained.
With the skid finally behind them and a new chapter seemingly beginning for ZUS Coffee, the Thunderbelles aim to make it two in a row when they face Galeries Tower on November 28.
