ZUS Coffee hopes its impressive opening-day victory is just the start, as the Thunderbelles aim to seize the tournament’s first solo lead when they face the Choco Mucho Flying Titans in the Premier Volleyball League On Tour on Saturday at the Batangas City Sports Coliseum.
The Thunderbelles are fresh off a confidence-boosting four-set win over the Akari Chargers in Wednesday’s opening games in Ilagan City, Isabela.
Now, they look to sustain their momentum and become the tournament’s lone unbeaten team as the league’s six-week, province-hopping preseason showcase moves to its second stop in Batangas City, another volleyball hotbed expected to draw a packed crowd.
Game time is set at 6:30 PM, with Galeries Tower and Farm Fresh opening the day’s twin bill at 4:00 PM, in a matchup featuring two teams making their tournament debuts. The competition is organized by Sports Vision.
Another victory would do more than strengthen ZUS Coffee’s position atop the early standings. It would also reinforce the belief that the Thunderbelles are ready to move past a disappointing All-Filipino Conference campaign that was heavily affected by injuries to key players.
The team looked revitalized in its 25-11, 25-23, 26-28, 25-17 victory over Akari, displaying improved chemistry, balanced scoring, and renewed confidence under head coach Jerry Yee.
Four players scored in double figures, led by newcomer Zam Nolasco and returning middle blocker AC Miner, who each tallied 15 points. Jolina dela Cruz added 12 markers, while veteran Rachel Anne Daquis turned back the clock with an 11-point performance that provided both stability and leadership.
Nolasco’s impressive debut came as little surprise given her familiarity with Yee’s system after playing under him during her collegiate career at the College of St. Benilde.
“Same lang din po kung ano yung routine namin sa training, yun lang din talaga. At siguro po, viewing and discussion within the team, mas sisipagan pa kasi may ibang players na bago sila,” said Nolasco, crediting the team’s preparation rather than her individual performance.
Miner’s return after missing the entire All-Filipino Conference due to injury also gave the Thunderbelles another reliable presence in the middle. Then Dela Cruz quickly showed why she was considered a prized acquisition following her move from Farm Fresh.
Despite the encouraging start, ZUS Coffee knows the challenge will be much tougher against Choco Mucho, one of the league’s perennial contenders known for its relentless floor defense and disciplined system.
The Flying Titans, however, will not be at full strength. National team standouts Eya Laure and Dawn Catindig remain unavailable, while star opposite hitter Sisi Rondina continues her preparation for the Asian Games.
Even so, Dela Cruz expects another difficult battle regardless of who takes the floor for Choco Mucho.
“Itong PVL On Tour talaga, siyempre all-to-play siya, so super okay talaga sa lahat ng mga players. Parang hindi sila ‘yung nandun lang talaga sa bench. Siguro ‘yung preparation sa Choco Mucho, same lang din po kung ano ‘yung preparation namin sa Akari,” she said.
“Siyempre hindi naman madaling kalaban din ‘yung Choco Mucho, super defensive sila.”
(C) PVL Images
On the other hand, the opening match promises to be just as competitive. Galeries Tower and Farm Fresh both begin their respective campaigns, with both teams eager to make an immediate statement.
The Highrisers will unveil prized rookie Lams Lamina, the recent No. 1 draft pick who is expected to share playmaking duties with Julia Coronel after helping steer the team to a quarterfinal appearance in the previous All-Filipino Conference.
Galeries Tower also features a balanced attack led by Erika Deloria, Lycha Ebon, Jade Gentapa, Gayle Pascual, veteran Aiza Pontillas, and versatile Alyssa Bertolano, who continues to provide value both as an attacker and as a libero.
Its biggest advantage, however, could come at the net. Jean Asis, Ann Roselle Asis, and Roselle Baliton form one of the league’s more formidable middle-blocking rotations.
Farm Fresh, though, has the firepower to match.
Reigning MVP Trisha Tubu leads a deep and experienced Foxies roster that also includes Rizza Cruz, Ara Galang, Roselyn Aquino, Riri Meneses, Ces Molina, Mylene Rezanova, Renee Peñafiel, and Royse Tubino.
All four teams are entering the weekend hoping to make an early impact. Saturday’s twin bill should deliver another pair of highly-competitive matches and further build excitement around the PVL On Tour, the league’s preseason showcase that continues to bring top-level volleyball closer to fans across the country.
