The Zus Coffee Thunderbelles. PVL MediaMANILA — Zus Coffee seized the first win of the 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) on Tour, taking down Akari, 25-11, 25-23, 26-28, 25-17, on Wednesday at The Capital Arena in Ilagan, Isabela.
The Thunderbelles were threatened the most in the third set, even eventually dropping the frame despite holding a 23-20 lead.
Eli Soyud sparked a run while capitalizing on Zus Coffee errors, as Chen Tagaod put Akari on set point, 25-24. Zam Nolasco, who joined the Thunderbelles during the offseason as a free agent from Farm Fresh, immediately made her presence felt, scoring attack points to answer back Akari points down the stretch.
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However, the 26-all deadlock was broken as veteran Ivy Lacsina put Akari to set point, 27-26, and Kate Santiago's attack went straight into the net to concede the period.
They regrouped in Set 4 and eventually closed it out, thanks to a 7-0 finishing kick from the 18-17 count, capped by an Akari attack error to take home P100,000 in prizes.
It was previously announced by the league that winning teams in this preseason showdown will claim that amount, while the losing side will have P50,000.
Nolasco and the returning AC Miner were accounted for 15 points each, while seasoned players dela Cruz and Rachel Anne Daquiz chipped in 12 and 11 points, respectively.
Soyud was the lone bright spot for the Chargers, registering 16 points to lead all scorers and was the lone player on the other side to have double-digit scoring.