By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles franchise recorded their best start since joining the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) after sweeping the Galeries Tower Highrisers, 25-22, 25-16, 25-19, for their second consecutive win in the ongoing All-Filipino Conference on November 28, 2024.
A week after handing the NXLED Chameleons a four-set loss, the Thunderbelles picked up where they left off and banked on their two-way efficiency to record their first winning streak in the PVL.
As a result of their back-to-back wins, ZUS Coffee is now sitting at the top of the standings with an impressive win-loss record of 2-1 and just boosted their chances of entering the playoff round if they continue to rack up the wins.
Chinnie Arroyo was in the zone against the Highrisers and delivered one of her best performances since wearing the ZUS Coffee uniform with a team-high 14 point-performance.
The savvy outside hitter was efficient with her offense, tallying 11 successful attacks alongside two service aces and a block.
The Thunderbelles went to their spiker after converting her first three down-the-line attacks and kept on feeding her as the game progressed.
Midway through the second set, heroes were aplenty for ZUS Coffee as the duo of Glaudine Troncoso and Thea Gagate stepped up when their team needed them the most.
Troncoso, ZUS Coffee’s newest pick-up during the off-season, contributed 11 markers alongside eight excellent receptions while Gagate chipped in nine points and three blocks.
Veteran leader Jovelyn Gonzaga also made her presence felt with seven points while Michelle Gamit produced the same amount of spikes as the Ilongga.
“Excited, siyempre. We see them practice, we see them improve. Gusto namin yung growth, gusto namin yung maturity, lalo na yung dala ng mga veterans. Ang laki ng push para sa amin, so hopefully magtuloy-tuloy kami,” said ZUS Coffee chief tactician Jerry Yee after the resounding win.
