ZUS Coffee made quick work of Galeries Tower, 25-22, 25-16, 25-16, to secure back-to-back wins to start the 2025 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference, Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Thunderbelles joined Akari as the early leaders in Pool B with identical 2-0 slates, following up their 25-15, 19-25, 25-20, 25-23 victory over Chery Tiggo in their opening match last Saturday in Dasmariñas.
ZUS Coffee executed to near perfection, displaying composure and discipline throughout while limiting itself to just 13 errors. The team capitalized on the Highrisers’ sloppy play that resulted in 21 miscues in the one-hour and 25-minute encounter.
(C) PVL Images
“Still trying to get better, so maraming pala namang lapses. Work in progress. ‘Yung mga challenging teams nga, so hinihintay natin,” said Thunderbelles head coach Jerry Yee after the win.
“Siyempre pagka nandyan na sila, doon lalabas lahat ng hinahana. So hopefully hindi masyadong marami or hopefully ma-overcome natin sa first meetings. So, ayan, trabaho lang kami,” he added.
American reinforcement Anne DeBeer, who was coming off a 37-point outing in their win against the Crossovers, turned in 17 points on 15 attacks and two aces to go along with five excellent digs for ZUS Coffee.
Rookie middle blocker AC Miner tallied 10 points on seven attacks, two blocks, and an ace, while Fiola Ceballos added seven. Both Kate Santiago, filling in for Jovelyn Gonzaga, and Riza Nogales had six markers.
Cloanne Mondoñedo weaved the offense with 20 excellent sets. Libero Alyssa Eroa gathered 14 excellent digs and nine excellent receptions as the Thunderbelles sustained their fine start in the tournament organized by Sports Vision.
ZUS Coffee will gun for its third-straight win against defending champion Creamline on October 23, 6:30 PM at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
(C) PVL Images
Meanwhile, the Highrisers absorbed their second consecutive loss in the conference, powered by ICTSI, Mikasa, Milcu, and Fabriano, and dropped to 0-2.
Jelena Cvijovic was the lone double-digit scorer for Galeries Tower with 11 points, along with nine excellent receptions. Meanwhile, second overall pick Jean Asis had nine points on five attacks, two aces, and two blocks in the quick loss.
The Highrisers will shoot for their first win against the Cool Smashers on Saturday, 4:00 PM at the Capital Arena in Ilagan.
