After tense showings in the first two sets, ZUS Coffee finally found its rhythm and played with more freedom the rest of the way, completing a rousing reverse sweep of Choco Mucho to secure a spot in the 2025 PVL On Tour quarterfinals.
Thunderbelles veteran Jovelyn Gonzaga admitted that they struggled to execute their game plan early on, citing tightness and a lack of fluidity that made it difficult for them to settle into the match.
“Credits sa performance ng Choco Mucho, kasi hindi talaga namin sila nahuli nung first and second sets. Siguro tumatak na lang sa isip sa amin na ilaro na lang namin ‘yung laro namin, kasi very stiff kami noong first and second set,” said the 33-year-old opposite spiker.
“Hindi kami maka-execute ng plan na kailangan namin i-execute,” she added.
That all changed in the third set, when ZUS Coffee finally broke out of its funk. The team played with the same rhythm and chemistry they usually show in training — bringing back joy and confidence to their game.
(c) PVL Images
For Gonzaga, that mental shift proved to be the turning point, as the Thunderbelles bulldozed their way through the next three sets to complete the comeback and book their ticket to the next round.
“Kaya noong third set, inenjoy na lang namin — kung paano tayo sa training, kung paano tayo mag tune-up game. Doon natin enjoyin… Kaya parang the later part, nag-eenjoy na lang talaga kami,” she said.
The 5-foot-8 spiker described the game as a valuable learning experience for the team, which is still in the process of establishing its identity and building chemistry on the court.
Gonzaga emphasized that the lessons from the match will be vital moving forward, especially for a young ZUS Coffee squad making its second straight quarterfinals appearance.
“And maganda siyang learning experience sa team, actually… And siguro, ‘di na namin iniisip ‘yung mga early sets. Nag-focus, nag-review po talaga kami na magba-back to zero. Tapos, so ‘yun — nasanay na rin siguro… Hindi tayo puwedeng masanay. Nakakapagod, pero ‘yun, grateful kasi panalo rin.”
The pride of Jordan, Guimaras, finished with 16 points — 13 coming off attacks — to help power the Thunderbelles to their fourth five-set win in five games in the preseason tournament.
Looking back at their campaign, Gonzaga expressed her happiness in seeing the team’s continued growth and how their efforts in training are beginning to pay dividends.
“Sobra kaming grateful kasi sa pangalawang conference na nandito din ako… And ilan na tayo nakasali? Tatlo? Nakadalawang quarterfinals appearance na ‘yung team so far — na bumubunga ‘yung hirap namin sa training,” she said.
“And grateful talaga din ako sa relationship ng team. Siguro nag-reflect ‘yung laro namin kasi eh, kung gaano kami ka-solid sa loob at sa labas.”
