Antipolo City – The Ynares Center here erupted with celebration as ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles finally notched their first-ever Premier Volleyball League victory, snapping a 21-match losing streak that spanned nearly an entire year.
After going winless in the 2024 All-Filipino and Reinforced Conferences, the Thunderbelles carried a 20-game skid into the 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference, where they suffered a tough opening loss to Akari. But on Tuesday, the young squad finally turned heartbreak into triumph, defeating Nxled in a thrilling 19-25, 25-23, 25-22, 25-15 performance.
The breakthrough was made possible by a combination of youthful energy and veteran poise, according to head coach Jerry Yee.
“‘Yung mga veterans, ang laking bagay sa amin kasi we know the tempo, we know the fight, we know the hits, pero ang ‘di namin alam is ‘yung pag-slow down, ‘yung mag-drop kung kailan kailangan mag-drop lang, ‘yung mag-place kung kailan kailangan mag-place lang. Hindi ‘yung hataw kami nang hataw. Puro kami gigil,” Yee reflected after the match.
With a chuckle, he added, “They complement the young energy ng mga bata. Paminsan kasi, you just don’t teach slowing down. Tinatanong ko nga kina Jov, saan ba nabibili ‘yan eh.”
At the heart of this landmark win was the electrifying performance of Jovelyn Gonzaga, whose 23-point masterclass ignited ZUS Coffee’s offense. The former Cignal HD Spiker delivered 20 kills on 30 attempts and fortified the defense with three blocks and 12 digs.
Gonzaga’s impact went beyond the stat sheet. Since joining ZUS Coffee last month, the 5-foot-8 opposite spiker has embraced a leadership role, working tirelessly to instill confidence in her young teammates.
“Ako personally, gusto ko ibigay ‘yung kumpiyansa and tiwala kasi once na mabuo ang kumpiyansa nila, magiging maganda ‘yung performance ng team,” Gonzaga said.
The shift in mentality was particularly evident in the decisive fourth set, where the Thunderbelles closed out Nxled with unwavering composure.
“As much as possible, bilang isa sa mga [veterans], ‘yun ‘yung gusto kong i-instill sa kanila. And again, kailangan ko mag-step kasi naglo-look-up sila. Kumbaga kailangan ko mag-step-up para maging smooth,” she added.
For a team that had struggled to find its footing in a highly competitive league, Tuesday’s victory was not just a relief but also a beacon of hope for the future. Yee credited Gonzaga and fellow veteran Chai Troncoso for their steadying presence, which has started to bridge the gap between the team’s potential and its performance.
The Thunderbelles are determined to keep the momentum going when they face Galeries Tower on November 28. But for now, the team is savoring the long-awaited taste of victory — and the promise of more to come.
