ZUS Coffee extended its franchise-best start by stunning Petro Gazz in straight sets, 25-22, 25-21, 25-20, to remain the lone unbeaten team in the 2025 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference on Tuesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
The Thunderbelles relied on the brilliance of hard-hitting reinforcement Anna DeBeer to overpower the sloppy Angels and improve their record to 4-0 in Pool B of the tournament organized by Sports Vision.
DeBeer led all scorers with 23 points as ZUS Coffee continued to ride her hot streak toward a perfect start. AC Miner and Jovelyn Gonzaga also provided crucial support on both ends in the one-hour, 21-minute victory.
Miner contributed 11 points on eight attacks, two kill blocks, and an ace. Meanwhile, Gonzaga — returning in her second game after missing their second win against Galeries — added nine points, nine excellent digs, and six excellent receptions.
(C) PVL Images
“Unang-una, siguro grateful talaga ako sa commitment ng bawat isa. Pagdating sa training, ike-credit ko rin ‘yung mga second stringers namin, ‘yung second wave namin na pagdating sa training, sila talaga ‘yung pumupukpok sa amin, puksaan talaga kung puksaan,” said Gonzaga.
“Inuubos nila kami para pagdating sa laro, alam na namin ‘yung gagawin so credit to them. Pangalawa, ‘yung first six talaga. ‘Yung tiyaga, ‘yung patience, and ‘yung utak namin, ‘yung setter namin sa loob ng court and ‘yung diskarte ni coach talaga. Grabe talaga si coach mag-aral sa rotation namin and all. It’s a total team effort and I’m so grateful,” she added.
Petro Gazz stayed close heading into the critical stretch of the third set. But Gonzaga and Thea Gagate — aided by a couple of errors from Lindsey Vander Weide — sparked a 4-0 run.
That turned a narrow 17-16 lead into a commanding 21-16 advantage for the Thunderbelles.
The Angels never recovered as DeBeer delivered the decisive blows that powered ZUS Coffee to a fourth consecutive victory.
Cloanne Mondoñedo also shone for the Thunderbelles, dishing out 23 excellent sets along with two points. Alyssa Eroa anchored the floor defense with 12 excellent digs and 12 excellent receptions.
“Ako, very proud and also thankful sa lahat. Sa bawat isa sa’min talaga. Lahat naman kasi sa practice, talagang binibigay nila lahat ‘yung best nila,” said the playmaker from College of St. Benilde.
ZUS Coffee will return to action on Tuesday at 4:00 PM against Akari at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, aiming to complete a sweep of the first round.
Meanwhile, Petro Gazz now risks dropping to Pool D after finishing the opening phase with a 3-2 record.
(C) PVL Images
Vander Weide led the Angels with 17 points on 16 attacks and one block, along with five excellent receptions. Meanwhile, Brooke Van Sickle was limited to 12 points, eight excellent digs, and five excellent receptions.
Myla Pablo added 10 points and five excellent digs, and MJ Phillips contributed nine markers as the Angels struggled to find their rhythm on offense.
Rookie setter Jules Tolentino managed just nine excellent sets before veteran Djanel Cheng replaced her in the third frame.
