Some lessons come the hard way, and ZUS Coffee learned that the hard way in the 2025-26 PVL All-Filipino Conference Siklab Series.
The Thunderbelles dropped their first five games of the conference before finally securing their maiden victory in a rare display of composure, pulling off a come-from-behind 17-25, 21-25, 25-20, 25-20, 15-12 win over Galeries Tower on Tuesday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Although already out of contention for a semifinals spot, the victory was a product of the lessons ZUS Coffee learned from its previous losses, which included two five-set defeats, one four-set loss, and two sweeps.
“Siguro it’s about finding your footing lang kasi, before kapag nag-i-start kami all out, pero kapag pagdating sa dulo kahit lamang kami, masiyadong nagre-relax kapag nasa dulo na kami; mas tinodo pa namin, hindi yung nagre-relax kami, kasi wala na… So ang nasa mindset namin, hindi matatapos hangga’t hindi tayo nananalo o napapagod,” said AC Miner, reflecting on the team’s breakthrough win.
Miner led the way for ZUS Coffee with 17 points on 13 attacks and four blocks, while Chai Troncoso provided ample support with 13 points and 21 excellent digs.
Jolina Dela Cruz added 10 points, while Alyanna Ong and Kate Santiago chipped in nine and eight points, respectively.
(C) PVL Images
“Naglaro lang din po kami; in-enjoy lang po namin yung game kahit two sets down kami. Sabi ko din talaga sa kanila na mas doon lumalabas laro namin kapag ineenjoy namin, may enjoyment and may focus and may winning mentality,” shared Troncoso.
“Lagi kaming nagfi-five sets pero lagi kaming nabibigo, heartbroken kami lagi sa fifth set at minake sure namin na makuha namin itong fifth set,” she continued.
After claiming its first-ever podium finish with a silver medal in the 2025 Reinforced Conference, ZUS Coffee has struggled to sustain that success.
The Thunderbelles finished 10th in the 2026 AFC with a 1-8 record before opening their campaign in the ongoing tournament with five consecutive defeats.
ZUS Coffee will look to close out its campaign on a stronger note when it faces Akari next Tuesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena before wrapping up its tournament run against Nxled on November 21 at the Philsports Arena.
“Of course, confidence boost kasi we have one now in our win column, sana madagdagan pa yon kasi may last two games pa. Mathematically, hindi na kami makakapasok sa Final Four, so kukuha na lang kami ng momentum in these last two games, para coming into the next conference,” said Miner.
