By: Ernest Tuazon
Barring any setbacks, ZUS Coffee is tapping Kurashiki open spiker Asaka Tamaru as its first-ever import in the upcoming PVL Reinforced Conference.
Thunderbelles head coach Jerry Yee shared this development with reporters during the first day of the inaugural PVL Draft Combine today, June 25, at the Gameville Ballpark in Sheridan, Mandaluyong.
“Nakita ko maglaro sa Japan, pwede. When I complimented her that she was strong, she said that she was still at 50-percent. Okay kami with her and the new girls, along with the new chance to be here,” Yee said.
It should be noted that Tamaru previously joined Yee’s coaching staff at Farm Fresh in the PVL and at the University of the East in the UAAP over the summer.
Tamaru led Kurashiki’s championship run in the 2023 PVL Invitational Conference, where she was recognized as the First Best Open Spiker.
Before her professional volleyball career with the Ablaze, Tamaru played for Kyoto Sangyo University and Mimasaka High School.
At 25 years old and standing 169 centimeters tall, Tamaru is set to reinforce a ZUS Coffee team led by College of St. Benilde standouts, including reigning NCAA MVP Cloanne Mondoñedo, Gayle Pascual, Jade Gentapa, and Mich Gamit, along with projected first overall pick and La Salle middle blocker Thea Gagate.
“Confident kami sa training program [and] sa sipag na nandito kami. Yung result hindi naman namin hawak ‘yon, pero excited kami and gusto na namin magsimula,” Yee said.
