For a team that once struggled to find its footing, ZUS Coffee’s ascent in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference is nothing short of remarkable.
From a winless past to a legitimate playoff contender, the Thunderbelles have defied expectations, proving that patience, persistence, and a long-term approach to team development can pay off in the most spectacular fashion.
The turning point for ZUS Coffee came when they secured their first-ever PVL victory, a triumph that ignited a surge of confidence within the squad.
The Thunderbelles carried that momentum into the play-in tournament, where they dominated their opponents to secure the seventh seed and clinch a historic playoff berth.
The Thunderbelles made their boldest statement yet on Tuesday night when they stunned the second-seeded Petro Gazz Angels in straight sets, 25-21, 25-23, 27-25.
What once seemed improbable is now within reach—a semifinal berth, just one victory away.
For head coach Jerry Yee, this breakthrough has been a long time coming.
“I mentioned before na dadaan tayo sa ganyan. It’s a process na mahirap din talaga na di mo nakikita yung improvement pero nandiyan, and we know na kailangan namin dumaan diyan and we know na may heartbreak losses, close losses,” Yee shared, recalling the team’s early struggles.
“Surprised? Not really. Kasi ayun naman yung i-preach mo, ayan din yung kailangan mangyari. Ayun yung kailangan niyo malagpasan,” he added, emphasizing the importance of perseverance in building a competitive squad.
ZUS Coffee now finds itself on the cusp of history. A win on Saturday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo will secure their place in the round-robin semifinals. A loss would force a winner-take-all Game 3, but given their current form, the Thunderbelles are determined to finish the job early.
A key factor in ZUS Coffee’s emergence has been the extended six-month schedule of the PVL All-Filipino Conference.
Unlike shorter tournaments that offer little time for adjustment and growth, the league’s long format has provided an invaluable opportunity for the Thunderbelles to develop their chemistry and refine their system.
“‘Yung long format ng conference, nakakatulong sa isang bagong team tulad namin,” Yee noted. “So, it gives us a chance to work on our game, work on our plans, execute our plans. Ayan, buti na lang as the tournament progresses nag-iimprove yung chemistry, nag-iimprove yung kumbaga yung maturity ng team. So, malaking bagay.”
With more time to gel as a unit, the Thunderbelles have turned what was once a rebuilding phase into a legitimate playoff campaign.
