ZUS Coffee concocted the perfect brew in the decisive fifth set, blending composure, resilience, and clutch performances to outlast Cignal in a five-set thriller, 19-25, 25-23, 25-20, 23-25, 15-12, and take control of its fate in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference Play-in Tournament at the Philsports Arena in Pasig on Tuesday night.
The Thunderbelles now hold a 1-0 record in Pool A and can secure the seventh seed in the quarterfinals with a win against the Capital1 Solar Spikers on Thursday at the same venue.
However, if the already-eliminated Capital1 manages to defeat ZUS Coffee, Cignal will claim the final quarterfinal spot.
“Masaya, masayang-masaya. ‘Yun lang. May konting frustration kasi fourth set pwede na, buti kumapit nung fifth set kaya masaya pa rin,” said Thunderbelles head coach Jerry Yee.
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Trailing 10-13 in the fifth set, Cignal revived its hopes with Jackie Acuña’s solid block on Jovelyn Gonzaga, followed by an untimely error from Mich Gamit, cutting the deficit to 12-13.
But Chai Troncoso, a former HD Spiker, sealed the Thunderbelles’ victory with back-to-back hits to conclude her impressive 21-point performance, which included 15 attacks, four aces, and two blocks along with 17 excellent receptions.
ZUS Coffee appeared poised to finish the match in four sets, holding a commanding 12-3 lead early and an 18-11 cushion midway. However, Cignal rallied behind Vanie Gandler and Ishie Lalongisip to force a decider.
Chinnie Arroyo added 20 points and 18 digs for the Thunderbelles, while middle blockers Thea Gagate and Gamit contributed 16 and 13 points, respectively.
The HD Spikers, who were ranked third after the preliminaries but fell to 10th-seeded Galeries Tower in the qualifying round, ended their Play-in campaign at 1-1 with four match points.
The winner of Pool A will advance to face second-ranked Petro Gazz in the best-of-three quarterfinals.
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Gandler led Cignal with 21 points, 10 digs, and seven receptions, while Lalongisip chipped in 16 points.
Acuña tallied 12 points, while Rose Doria-Aquino added nine points in the loss.
