RODRIGUEZ, RIZAL – In a match that unfolded under unusual circumstances with both teams missing their foreign reinforcements, ZUS Coffee rose to the occasion and edged Akari in five sets, 24-26, 25-23, 17-25, 26-24, 15-7 to open the 2025 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference on Tuesday at the Ynares Center Montalban here.
The absence of imports Annie Mitchem for the Chargers and Anna DeBeer for the Thunderbelles came after the Philippine National Volleyball Federation had yet to endorse the International Transfer Certificates required for foreign players to compete.
Still, ZUS Coffee managed to pull off a gutsy come-from-behind win over Akari to start its campaign on a high note, turning the tide after a crucial challenge midway through the final set.
The successful call led to a replay of a key point, which the Thunderbelles used as a spark to shift the momentum in their favor.
(C) PVL Images
Holding a slim 9-7 lead after a Chinnie Arroyo kill, ZUS Coffee remained composed. On the other hand, Akari faltered under pressure, committing errors that proved costly.
Riza Nogales then delivered back-to-back quick hits off crisp sets from Cloanne Mondonedo before Fiola Ceballos sealed the deal. She put up an ace, an attack, and another booming attempt from the service line to complete a decisive six-point run that capped the Thunderbelles’ stirring comeback.
“Fair naman, wala namang adjustments. We practiced naman na ganun yung rotation, go lang kami,” said Yee when asked about the absence of both squads’ reinforcements.
“Di tayo ganon ka-prepared, ok lang. As the players said, lagi naman tayo nage-ensayo na nagta-try ng different combinations. And then, di naman as if bago ‘yung combinations nila — sila din naman ‘yung naglaro. Sa past few practices, siyempre kasama namin ‘yung import, pero yun na nga, circumstances — hindi pa sila pwede, so laro lang kami,” he added.
A total of six players finished in double-figures for ZUS Coffee, with Mondonedo steering a balanced offensive strike with a total of 28 excellent sets.
Nogales, who was coming off a Best Middle Blocker citation in the recent PVL Invitational, finished with a team-high 15 points, including five of the team’s 14 blocks, in their Pool B victory.
Jovelyn Gonzaga added 14 points on 12 attacks, one ace, and one block to go along with 13 excellent digs, while Chinnie Arroyo had 14 points as well.
Fiola Ceballos tallied 13 points, while Kate Santigo contributed 13 off the bench. AC Miner rounded out the double-digit scorers with 10 points.
(C) PVL Images
Alyssa Eroa also made her presence felt, collecting 22 excellent digs — which proved to be a pivotal factor in the Thunderbelles’ comeback triumph.
On the other hand, Eli Soyud paced the Chargers with 22 points, while Chenie Tagaod and Fifi Sharma had 18 and 13 points, respectively.
The team missed the services of both Ivy Lasina and Faith Nisperos.
