For Zam Nolasco, the sting of falling short in her final NCAA season has not disappeared. Instead, it has become fuel as she embarks on the next phase of her volleyball career.
Just months after College of Saint Benilde's bid for a fifth consecutive NCAA women's volleyball championship ended in disappointment against Letran, the reigning NCAA Most Valuable Player has reunited with longtime mentor Jerry Yee—this time in the professional ranks with ZUS Coffee.
Rather than dwelling on the title that slipped away, Nolasco is embracing a new opportunity to chase championships alongside the coach who helped shape her collegiate career.
"Parang sinabihan niya po ako during training dito sa ZUS. Sinabi niya sa akin, ‘Dito na lang kami kumuha ng championship,’ which is okay," Nolasco recalled.
"Makakabawi pa ako kasi marami pa namang time para mag-prepare at marami pang games kami na pagsasamahan ni coach."
The partnership between Nolasco and Yee was always expected to continue beyond college. After previously seeing action for Farm Fresh in 2023 under a Games and Amusements Board-issued special guest player license, Nolasco was eligible to sign directly with the Thunderbelles ahead of the 2026 Premier Volleyball League on Tour Showdown without entering the Rookie Draft.
For the 22-year-old middle blocker, remaining under Yee's system made the leap to professional volleyball much more comfortable.
"Same lang din po ng coach sa college, tapos same lang sa pro, so parang direct na po talaga. Pinag-usapan na rin namin ni Coach Je na ayun yung plano after college. Ayun po, okay naman po siya sa akin," she said.
Nolasco's previous taste of PVL competition also helped ease any concerns about adjusting to the professional level.
"'Di naman po sobrang (pressured) kasi na-experience ko na po siya before. Malaking bagay na po 'yan sa akin. Na-experience ko na yung PVL, so I know na ganito yung feeling, ganito yung makipaglaro sa ibang pro," she explained.
She added that familiarity with her new teammates further shortened the adjustment period.
"Sa teammates, wala kasi kilala ko naman po sila. Noong college ako, parang nakakalaro na rin po namin yung ZUS sa tune-up."
That seamless transition was evident in her first appearance wearing a ZUS Coffee jersey.
Nolasco immediately delivered, tallying 15 points on 11 attacks and four kill blocks as the Thunderbelles defeated Akari, 25-11, 25-23, 26-28, 25-17, at Capital Arena to open their campaign on a winning note.
