ZUS Coffee brewed a bold comeback to erase the bitter taste of a previous heartbreaker, drubbing Capital1, 31-29, 25-15, 25-15, in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference preliminaries at the Philsports Arena in Pasig on Saturday.
With firepower and teamwork firing on all cylinders, the Thunderbelles broke down the Solar Spikers in the last two sets. Chai Troncoso, Michelle Gamit, Thea Gagate and Jovelyn Gonzaga delivered standout performances, anchoring their team’s surge in the one-hour, 29-minute match.
However, it was Chinnie Arroyo who stole the spotlight, delivering a stellar 15-point performance alongside 12 excellent digs to earn the game’s top honors.
"Kailangan sipagan namin lagi, palo lang ng palo, walang susuko (We need to always push ourselves, just keep hitting and never give up,)" said Arroyo. She attributed the team’s victory to their unwavering determination.
"Wala lang bibitaw, tibay lang ng loob to (No one should falter; it’s all about staying strong and steadfast)," she added.
Troncoso and Gamit matched 12-point outputs while Gagate, Gonzaga and Gayle Pascual finished with eight, seven and five points, respectively.
Their dominance in the second set was particularly emphatic, as they took control from the outset and never looked back on their way to improve their (win-loss) record to 3-4, snapping an alarming three-game skid, including two five-setters.
Capital1, led by Jorelle Singh’s 10 markers, Rovena Instrella’s seven points and Lourdes Clemente-De Guzman and Sydney Niegos identical six points, fell to 1-6.
Holding a commanding 16-10 lead in the third set, the Thunderbelles capitalized on the Solar Spikers’ struggles in reception. This opened the floodgates for ZUS Coffee to unleash a relentless series of attacks, leaving its rivals reeling and sealing their sixth loss against a lone victory in the tournament.
Capital1 coach Roger Gorayeb lamented his team’s persistent difficulties in initiating effective attacks, constantly urging his players to go all-out on spikes and seize every offensive opportunity.
However, the Solar Spikers' inconsistency proved insurmountable against the Thunderbelles' cohesive and aggressive play.
Crucially, the Thunderbelles showcased resilience and composure, qualities that were visibly absent in their previous outings.
This marked a stark improvement from their sorry loss to the Choco Mucho Flying Titans. In that match, they squandered a commanding 2-0 lead, crumbling under pressure in the final three sets – a gut-wrenching setback for both the team and their ardent supporters.
Saturday’s extended first-set battle tested ZUS Coffee’s mettle, but its eventual 10-point blowout in the second set was a powerful statement. Determined to bury the stigma of their previous collapse, the Thunderbelles not only secured the win but also reasserted themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the tournament organized by Sports Vision and backed by Watsons.
The opening set hinted at a grueling battle between the two struggling teams, as neither side managed to establish a commanding lead. With 19 deadlocks throughout the set, the match seemed destined for a long and arduous night.
Capital1, however, faltered under pressure, committing a costly service error after forcing the final tie at 29. Seizing the opportunity, Gagate delivered a decisive quick hit off a critical ZUS Coffee save against a fierce Capital1 attack, clinching the set and giving the Thunderbelles the early advantage.
