ZUS Coffee has its sights set on selecting a middle blocker with the fifth overall pick in the 2025 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Rookie Draft — but remains open to picking the best available talent come draft day.
Thunderbelles head coach Jerry Yee shared the team’s draft plans on Saturday during Day 2 of the PVL Draft Combine, where most of the 60 hopefuls showcased their skills through ball drills and competitive scrimmages.
While no official announcements have been made regarding player departures, Yee revealed that addressing the middle blocker position is a top priority for the squad heading into the draft.
“To be honest, middle. Alam niyo naman ‘yun, nabawasan kami ng middle. Pero ayun, middle pero kung sino man ‘yung best available athlete na matira at number five, ‘yun agad ang kukunin namin,” said Yee as they lost Mich Gamit.
(C) PVL Images
In the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference, ZUS Coffee’s middle blocker rotation included Thea Gagate, Joan Narit, and Sharya Ancheta.
During the offseason, the Thunderbelles bolstered their roster by acquiring veteran middle Maika Ortiz, Best Libero awardee Alyssa Eroa, outside spiker Fiola Ceballos, and setter Renee Mabilangan.
“At least ‘yung number five pick, meron pang one or the other na solid na matibay. Buti nalang five pa rin kami. ‘Di na ako sure sa six or seven, bahala na sila dun. Ayun, nilu-look forward natin mag-improve ‘yung team. ‘Yun naman ‘yun eh, ‘yung draft ‘yun naman ‘yung purpose eh — para mag-improve ‘yung team,” Yee added.
Among the top middle blocker prospects in the draft pool set for June 8 at Novotel Manila are National University’s Erin Pangilinan and Sheena Toring, University of the East’s Riza Nogales, Far Eastern University’s Jean Asis, Ateneo de Manila’s AC Miner, and University of Santo Tomas’ Pia Abbu.
The draft class is also loaded with talented wing spikers, including NU’s Bella Belen, Ateneo’s Lyann De Guzman, La Salle’s Alleiah Malaluan and Jyne Soreño, Adamson’s May Ann Nuique, College of St. Benilde’s Mycah Go, and FEU’s Chenie Tagaod.
After going winless in their first two PVL conferences, ZUS Coffee finally made significant strides in the recent All-Filipino Conference — securing their first win, first winning streak, and a breakthrough postseason appearance, eventually finishing in seventh place.
With reinforcements coming in and a high draft pick at hand, Yee is optimistic the new additions will make an immediate impact.
“They fill a need, so gusto namin mag-improve sa certain positions, so ‘yun ‘yung mga kinuha namin. Hopefully, mag-deliver.”
