Zus Coffee leaders Jov Gonzaga and Clo Mondoñedo. PVL Media Bureau
MANILA — Zus Coffee veteran Jov Gonzaga and setter Clo Mondoñedo underscored the importance of trust in the team as the Thunderbelles enjoy their best start in franchise history.
They remained clean in four games to kick off the tournament, including a 25-22, 25-21, 25-20 statement victory over powerhouse Petro Gazz in the 2025 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference on Tuesday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
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Gonzaga's leadership allows the team to flourish, but on top of that is the trust of Coach Jerry Yee for his team.
"Sa akin siguro nanibago ako kasi nasanay ako sa mga past coaches ko na very vocal pero this time kasi, ang laking bagay din na ‘yung trust—again, balik tayo sa trust na binibigay ni coach sa ’min—siguro 'pag nara-rattle and all, doon na talaga siya nagse-step in talaga," said Gonzaga.
The Guimaras native added that Yee's masterful stroke on Zus rotation paves the way in their "good outcome."
"Saka si coach kasi nag-aaral sa game, so in-game adjustment ang ginagawa niya. So lahat ng nasa second six, napapaikot niya, alam niya kung kailan ang timing so siguro kanya-kanyang trabaho tas ime-merge namin kaya nagiging maganda ‘yung outcome," said Gonzaga.
For Mondoñedo, the improved showing of the locals, complementing the dazzling form of American import Anna DeBeer, is due to the Thunderbelles' trust in each other.
"Siguro for me, ‘yung trust sa isa’t isa. Kasi kita niyo naman sa court, lahat naman kami, ako ah bilang setter, tiwala ako sa lahat ng spikers ko. And also ‘yung libero namin, binibigyan niya ako ng kumpyansa that’s why nagiging madali ‘yung trabaho ko. For me, it’s more on trust talaga," said the playmaker out of College of Saint Benilde.
READ: Anna DeBeer dreams high with Zus Coffee: 'We want to win this thing'
Amid their superb run, DeBeer is still spreading her sense of accountability, and the team is embracing it, said Gonzaga.
"‘[Y]ung pagdating ni Anna... ‘yung attitude kasi ni Anna sobrang ganda eh. So accountable si Anna, so kami bawat isa nagiging accountable na rin and alam namin ‘yung responsibility namin pagdating sa court. So siguro ‘yun," she expressed.
Mondoñedo said it's "not difficult" to connect with her import as DeBeer is "very open" to her.
"Actually, kahit naman hanggang ngayon may adjustments pa rin eh kasi hindi naman ganun din kadali. Ilang weeks pa lang kami magkasama ni Anna, but then kasi very open din siya eh that’s why hindi mahirap makipag-connect sa kanya."