ILAGAN, Isabela — ZUS Coffee leaned on its new recruits to defeat Akari in four sets, 25-11, 25-23, 26-28, 25-17, and open its 2026 Premier Volleyball League on Tour Showdown campaign with a victory on Wednesday at Capital Arena here.
Former Farm Fresh standouts Zam Nolasco and Jolina Dela Cruz, who joined the Thunderbelles as free agents during the offseason, spearheaded ZUS Coffee’s gritty win over the Chargers in the opening match of the preseason tournament.
Nolasco had last played in the PVL in 2023 before completing her collegiate career with College of Saint Benilde in the NCAA. She finished with 15 points built on 11 attacks and four blocks in her debut for the Thunderbelles.
Dela Cruz, meanwhile, contributed 12 points and 13 excellent receptions after spending the past two seasons with the Foxies.
(C) PVL Images
“Sobrang gaan lang din po sila makasama sa loob ng court, which is naging helpful din siya sa akin as a rookie sa team,” said the reigning NCAA Most Valuable Player.
“Ayun po, mababait yung Ates and coaches. Familiar na rin kami sa program, sa system, sa players — wala naman pong sobrang adjustments. Kini-keep ko lang po kung paano ako maglaro,” she added.
ZUS Coffee dominated the opening set and looked poised to complete a sweep before Akari came alive in the extended third frame. The Thunderbelles quickly regained control in the fourth set as Nolasco, Dela Cruz, and Rachel Daquis combined to put the match away.
Holding onto a slim 18-17 lead in the fourth set, ZUS Coffee caught fire at the perfect time, reeling off the final seven points to snuff out Akari’s comeback bid and seal the victory.
AC Miner, returning from the shin injury that sidelined her throughout the season-ending All-Filipino Conference, impressed in her new role as an opposite hitter with 15 points and 10 excellent digs.
Daquis added 11 points in the one-hour, 57-minute victory, while Kate Santiago and Riza Nogales chipped in seven and six points, respectively.
Setter Cloanne Mondoñedo orchestrated the Thunderbelles’ balanced attack with 21 excellent sets.
ZUS Coffee will look to build on its opening victory when it takes on fan favorite Choco Mucho on Saturday at 6:30 PM in Batangas.
(C) PVL Images
Akari, meanwhile, struggled to find its rhythm for most of the match, with Eli Soyud emerging as the Chargers’ lone double-digit scorer after finishing with 16 points.
Ivy Lacsina added nine points, while Sharya Ancheta, Chen Tagaod, and Jamaica Villena contributed eight markers apiece.
The Chargers will try to bounce back when they face the Flying Titans on August 1 in Polomolok, South Cotabato.
