ZUS Coffee staved off Capital1 to complete a perfect sweep of the play-in, 25-22, 25-17, 18-25, 25-17, securing its first-ever playoff appearance in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Thursday at the Philsports Arena.
The Thunderbelles, fresh off a stunning 19-25, 25-23, 25-20, 23-25, 15-12 five-set win over Cignal last Tuesday, carried their momentum into this match and overpowered the Solar Spikers to clinch the lone quarterfinals berth in Pool A of the play-in tournament with a perfect 2-0 record.
After dominating the first two sets, ZUS Coffee stumbled in the third, allowing the Solar Spikers to extend the match. The Thunderbelles initially struggled in the fourth set but regrouped behind Thea Gagate and Chai Troncoso, breaking away with a 21-15 lead before closing out the victory.
(C) PVL Images
“We got the game, so I am very happy and thankful sa lahat ng players who gave their all. Marami pang i-wo-work on pero sa ngayon happy muna kami,” said Thunderbelles head coach Jerry Yee.
Troncoso led the way for ZUS Coffee with 15 points on 12 attacks, two kill blocks, and one ace, while also adding 17 excellent receptions. Top rookie Gagate chipped in 13 points, including four of the team’s six blocks.
“Syempre happy ako sa performance namin. Although marami kaming paghihirap sa conference na ‘to, at least naging learning experience para sa amin. Excited lang din ako sa quarterfinals kasi dun pa lang magisisimula ‘yung totoong laban,” said Gagate.
Cloanne Mondoñedo orchestrated the offense masterfully with 24 excellent sets and contributed six points of her own. Spiker-turned-libero Dolly Versoza anchored the floor defense with 16 excellent digs.
Chinnie Arroyo added nine points, while Kate Santiago and Jovelyn Gonzaga came off the bench to deliver eight points each, with Gonzaga also tallying 12 excellent digs.
With the victory, ZUS Coffee earned the right to face second seed Petro Gazz in the best-of-three quarterfinals.
(C) PVL Images
Meanwhile, the Solar Spikers wrapped up their play-in campaign winless at 0-2.
Julia Ipac paced Capital1 with 17 points on 14 attacks, two kill blocks, and one ace. Rookie Leila Cruz contributed 13 points, all coming from attacks.
Shola Alvarez posted 10 points and 17 excellent digs, while Patty Orendain recorded 10 points and eight excellent receptions.
