ZUS Coffee mounted a huge comeback to frustrate Akari in five sets, 16-25, 25-18, 18-25, 25-23, 15-12, earning its first win in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Thursday at the Filoil Centre.
After falling into a 1-2 hole, the Thunderbelles fended off the Chargers in the fourth set and carried their momentum into the finale, snapping a two-game losing streak and climbing into the win column with a 1-2 record in the 10-team all-local tournament.
Coming off a heartbreaking five-set loss to Galeries Tower last Saturday, ZUS Coffee refused to let this one slip away.
(C) PVL Images
The Thunderbelles erupted for a decisive 5-1 run in the final frame, anchored by Jovelyn Gonzaga, Chinnie Arroyo, and Thea Gagate. That surge broke a 3-all deadlock and gave them an 8-4 advantage, swinging the momentum firmly in their favor.
Ivy Lacsina willed Akari back into the game with two points in a 3-0 run that cut the lead to just one. But Fiola Ceballos immediately answered with a 3-0 run to restore a four-point edge, 11-7, for ZUS Coffee—who never looked back.
Cloanne Mondonedo calmly orchestrated the offense down the stretch, disguising a backset to Gonzaga for a crucial hit that gave ZUS Coffee match point at 14-12. Eli Soyud saved one, but Arroyo struck cleanly on the next rally to seal the two-hour, five-minute victory.
“Thankful ako sa bawat isa kasi ‘yun nga, sabi ng coaching staff nag-step up talaga bawat isa. Also sa decision making ng coaching staff, credit talaga sa kanila,” said Gonzaga, who finished with 14 points, eight excellent digs, and seven excellent receptions.
Arroyo led the Thunderbelles with 18 points on 15 attacks, two aces, and one block, along with 11 excellent digs. Mondonedo delivered 16 excellent sets and added 10 points, while Gagate contributed nine markers. Riza Nogales had four of the team’s nine blocks and finished with eight points. Alyssa Eroa anchored the floor defense with 21 excellent digs and 11 excellent receptions.
“Dun nga sa mga players ng ZUS, kila Jov, nag-step up lahat. Kasi ‘yung palitan ng subsitutions namin nag-work naman siya kaya yun nga, masaya talaga,” said assistant coach Onyok Getigan, who is calling the shots in lieu of head coach Jerry Yee.
The Thunderbelles will aim for back-to-back wins against powerhouse Creamline on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the same venue.
(C) PVL Images
Meanwhile, the Chargers dropped their second straight game to start the tournament 0-2. Lacsina turned in her best performance since recovering from a back injury, finishing with 24 points and nine excellent receptions.
Fifi Sharma added 14 points, including five of Akari’s 10 blocks, while Chenie Tagaod and Ced Domingo contributed 10 and eight points, respectively, in the loss.
Akari will seek its first win when it faces unbeaten PLDT on Thursday at 4 p.m., also at Filoil.
