Strong Group Athletics has partnered with Zus Coffee, leading to the rebranding of its volleyball team to the Zus Coffee Thunderbelles, starting with the upcoming conference of the Premier Volleyball League (PVL).
The Thunderbelles will embark on this new journey under the guidance of Jerry Yee, a three-time NCAA champion coach.
Yee, who previously led the Farm Fresh Foxies, will take the reins from SGA interim head coach Onyok Getigan.
“We are thankful to Zus Coffee for helping us build our second team in the PVL. With this, we are bringing in coach Jerry Yee, who is the head of our volleyball program in Strong Group,” said Zus Coffee team manager Kiara Cruz. “Being a multiple-time champion coach, we are confident that he can lead the Thunderbelles to the top of the PVL one day.”
In assembling the inaugural Thunderbelles roster, Yee has brought his quartet of graduating seniors from College of Saint Benilde: Gayle Pascual, Cloanne Mondoñedo, Michelle Gamit, and Jade Gentapa.
This core group has been instrumental in building the Lady Blazers dynasty in the NCAA, including three consecutive NCAA championships and an impressive 40-game winning streak.
“I’m glad to have the St. Benilde seniors in our team Zus Coffee. It’s good that magkakasama pa rin kami sa PVL. They will be the core of our team as we build this team through the upcoming draft,” said Yee
Gayle Pascual, a 5-foot-8 opposite spiker and two-time NCAA Finals MVP, brings her formidable presence to the team.
Cloanne Mondoñedo, a 5-foot-6 playmaker, known for her strategic brilliance, was the NCAA Season 99 Season MVP and Best Setter.
Jade Gentapa, a 5-foot-8 outside hitter, who was the NCAA Season 98 Finals MVP and Season 98 2nd Best Outside Spiker, adds her dynamic skills to the roster.
Michelle Gamit, a 5-foot-9 middle, renowned as one of Coach Yee’s most reliable players, completes this talented lineup.
Pascual, Gentapa, Gamit, and Mondoñedo previously played as ‘special guest players’ for Farm Fresh last season and were subsequently released into free agency prior to the NCAA season.
