After Jovelyn Gonzaga’s decisive block on Myla Pablo sealed ZUS Coffee’s Game 1 victory in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference quarterfinals, the Thunderbelles erupted in celebration.
Gonzaga knelt in disbelief as her teammates swarmed her in joy. The seventh-seeded ZUS Coffee stunned the No. 2 Petro Gazz in straight sets, 25-21, 25-23, 27-25, on Tuesday night, moving just one win away from clinching a semifinal berth.
“Sobra akong speechless, grabe ‘yung teamwork na pinakita ng team. Very selfless ‘yung pinakita, gagalaw talaga kami for each and everyone of us — for the team, for the coaching staff,” said Gonzaga after the match.
“Kudos din talaga sa coaching staff, kung pa’no nila kami gamitin, kung sinong taong ipapasok, kailan ilalabas, so ang laking factor talaga siya during that game. So ‘yon, wala akong masabi, sobrang proud ako, shocked pa na na-straight sets namin Petro Gazz,” added the battle-tested veteran.
Despite the euphoric celebration, the Thunderbelles know the Angels will not go down without a fight in Game 2.
Before this stunning defeat, Petro Gazz had been riding a 10-game winning streak.
(C) PVL Images
“Unang una, gusto naming i-feel ‘yung pagkapanalo pero alam namin na sa Game Two, magtatrabaho talaga. There is no room for complacency,” Gonzaga warned.
“Pagtatrabahuhan namin — kung ano man ‘yung pinakita namin, dodoblehin namin at kailangan talaga makinig kami sa coaching staff. So for now, ifi-feel muna namin ‘yung panalo pero pagtatrabahuhan talaga namin.”
It was a total team effort for ZUS Coffee, with Chai Troncoso leading the way with 14 points. Thea Gagate and Gonzaga contributed 11 points each, while Mich Gamit and Chinnie Arroyo added 10 points apiece.
Dolly Verzosa also shone defensively, finishing with 11 receptions and eight digs, while Cloanne Mondoñedo orchestrated the offense brilliantly with 19 excellent sets.
Game 2 is scheduled for Saturday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
“Celebrate muna kami and then back to work. Mas lalo silang mag-prepare so mas dapat mag-prepare kami for Game Two. May Game Two pa so hindi pa kami totally panalo, so magtatrabaho pa kami,” added Gamit.
