The Zus Coffee Thunderbelles. PVL Media Bureau
MANILA, Philippines – Zus Coffee bagged back-to-back wins in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference, carrying on with its solid outing by catching a big fish in Chery Tiggo on Thursday at the PhilSports Arena.
The Thunderbelles, led by veteran Jov Gonzaga, turned back the Crossovers in four sets, 25-22, 25-22, 23-25, 25-20, to improve to a 4-4 win-loss card.
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Gonzaga breached the 20-point scoring territory anchored on 17 attacks, also contributing on the defense with 15 excellent digs, while four others were also in double digits to complete the supporting cast.
Chai Troncoso contributed 18 built on 16 attacks and two services aces, top rookie Thea Gagate delivered 13 points including three blocks, Chinnie Arroyo had 12, and Mich Gamit was also spot on with 10 markers.
That offense was made possible by playmaker Cloanne Mondoñedo, pulling the strings with 17 excellent sets.
"We are never satisfied. Always working to move forward. Ganun lang," said coach Jerry Yee during the postgame press conference.
Meanwhile, the Normal Miguel-coached squad dropped to 5-4.
Holding a 2-1 set lead in the fourth frame, up by only one point at 13-12, the Thunderbelles got things going their way, orchestrating a 8-3 rally towards a 21-15 cushion — a separation proved to be safe, as the Crossovers failed to be within striking distance.
Middle blocker Seth Rodriguez gave match point to the Thunderbelles after overcooking a serve, while Gonzaga dealt the finishing touches to close out the contest which lasted two hours and 14 minutes.
"‘Yung mga pinagtatrabahuhan talaga namin, kung paano ‘yung transition (in-games), kung paano kami mag-mindset para maka-recover, lumalabas ngayon, na nao-overcome namin ‘yun. Hopefully, magtuloy-tuloy siya," said Gonzaga.
"Pero again, babalik kami sa umpisa, na pagtatrabahuhan at pagtatrabahuan pa rin talaga namin para magtuloy-tuloy ‘yung progress," the 33-year-old spiker also said.