What once seemed like a distant quarterfinal dream is now a reality, and ZUS Coffee is determined to keep pushing forward.
Needing a decisive victory to advance past the Play-In stage, the Thunderbelles encountered an unexpected roadblock in the third set. However, they quickly regained control and ultimately fended off the Capital1 Solar Spikers with a 25-22, 25-17, 18-25, 25-17 victory to clinch the last quarterfinal berth in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena on Thursday night.
With a sweep of the three-team Pool A, ZUS Coffee not only secured its historic quarterfinal spot but also shattered Cignal’s hopes of sneaking in via a backdoor bid.
Now, the Thunderbelles prepare for their best-of-three quarterfinals campaign, set to commence on Tuesday against the formidable second-seed Petro Gazz Angels at 6:30 p.m. after the highly anticipated 4 p.m. clash between the top-ranked Creamline Cool Smashers and the seventh-seeded Chery Tiggo Crossovers, who earned their spot by topping their side of the Play-In phase.
The quarterfinal action begins tomorrow (Saturday), with Akari and Galeries Tower squaring off at 4 p.m., followed by a heated battle between PLDT and Choco Mucho at 6:30 p.m.
“We’re super proud – this is the first time for us and the franchise to reach the quarterfinals. I’m proud of my teammates because they gave it their all,” said setter Cloanne Mondonedo in Filipino, who orchestrated the offense with 24 excellent sets in a stellar performance. She also contributed six points, including two clutch 1-2 plays late in the fourth set that helped seal their hard-fought, one-hour and 51-minute victory.
The triumph came two days after the Thunderbelles upended the HD Spikers to all but secure their quarterfinal seat.
Though ultimately unsuccessful in preventing ZUS Coffee’s advance, the Capital1 Solar Spikers made the Thunderbelles earn their victory with a spirited stand, particularly in a gritty third set that derailed what seemed like a straightforward path to a sweep.
“We knew the Solar Spikers would put up a fight. But we managed to bounce back in the fourth set because we wanted this win so badly,” said Mondonedo, who briefly put the team’s offensive rhythm at risk after sustaining a minor shoulder injury while chasing down a powerful serve, forcing her to momentarily leave the court.
Still reeling from the Solar Spikers’ late third-set blitz, the Thunderbelles struggled in the early stages of the fourth, falling behind at various points. However, a seemingly minor miscue from Capital1 would prove to be a turning point in the match.
Clinging to a slim 11-10 lead, Patty Orendain lingered too long at the service line and was whistled for a violation, allowing the Thunderbelles to pull even. That single error sparked a crucial momentum shift, as ZUS Coffee seized control with a scoring surge led by Jovelyn Gonzaga. Her three consecutive power hits catapulted the Thunderbelles to an 18-13 advantage.
Mondonedo then delivered back-to-back 1-2 plays, including a well-timed semi-spike that extended their lead to 20-15. The Solar Spikers attempted to mount a comeback, cutting the deficit to 17-22 on a Norielle Ipac running attack. However, Chinnie Arroyo responded with a powerful kill, and Gonzaga punctuated a grueling rally with another decisive hit.
In a final effort, Ipac attempted a quick attack, only for the ball to crash into the net – sealing the set, the match, and a hard-earned quarterfinal berth for the Thunderbelles.
Chai Troncoso, who fired 21 points against her former team Cignal, topscored for ZUS Coffee again with 15 points, while Thea Gagate dominated the middle with 13 markers, including four kill blocks, while Arroyo added nine points and Gonzaga and Kate Santiago backed them up with eight points apiece.
Gayle Pascual added seven markers and Michelle Gamit and Joan Narit contributed five points each.
Ipac turned in a breakout game for Capital1, finishing with 17 points while Leila Cruz scored 13 markers and Shola Alvarez and Orendain each fired 10 points for the Solar Spikers, who also dropped a four-setter to the HD Spikers.
