Jovelyn Gonzaga has been a revelation for the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles as she spearheaded the team’s first-ever franchise win in the Premier Volleyball League, drubbing the Nxled Chameleons, 19-25, 25-23, 25-22, 25-15, to get on the board in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
After previously losing all their 20 games in the PVL, the veteran hitter proved to be the difference maker scoring 23 points on an efficient night to go along with 12 digs to pace the Thunderbelles in the breakthrough victory at the Ynares Center Antipolo on Tuesday.
For etching her name in franchise history, Gonzaga nets the second PVL Press Corps Player of the Week award presented by Pilipinas Live for the period of November 19 to 23.
Gonzaga’s double-double performance, along with her stellar leadership of the youngster-laden Thunderbelles, helped her beat out Creamline’s Bea de Leon, PLDT’s Savi Davidson, Cignal’s Gel Cayuna, Petro Gazz’ Brooke Van Sickle, and Choco Mucho hitter Sisi Rondina for the weekly plum decided by print and online journalists covering the competition, which is also streamed live and on-demand via Pilipinas Live app and on www.pvl.ph.
The 33-year-old wasn’t only effective, she was also efficient as she finished with a 20-of-30 attacking clip to help ZUS Coffee overcome the first-set deficit.
Being one of the most experienced players not only in her team but also in the league, Gonzaga said that she felt the responsibility to make her presence felt, not for personal glory but to help her teammates as well.
“Ang lagi kong sinasagot sa interview, kailangan kong mag-step up kasi once nag-step up ako, makakahugot din ng kumpiyansa ‘yung teammates ko. At the same time, ang laki din kasi talaga ng tiwala ko sa talent, potential ng bawat isa.” she said.
But with the six-month tournament organized by Sports Vision still in its early stages, Gonzaga believes there is much more to realize for herself and for the rest of the Thunderbelles, who are also paced by PVL Draft top pick Thea Gagate.
“‘Yung team kasi galing na kay coach Jerry. Kailangan talaga namin ng exposure. Experience and exposure tuloy-tuloy na laro hanggang makapa namin, hanggat ma consistent namin, hanggang magkaroon kami ng total na chemistry. Pag dating naman sa training, bawat isa kasi, ‘yun lagi kong sinasabi, masipag sila, puno sila ng potential. So more on exposure, unti-onti lang. One step at a time, one game at a time, we will get there.” she said.
Now with the monkey off of their backs, the sky’s the limit for Gonzaga and the rest of ZUS.
The Thunderbelles return to action with renewed vigor on Thursday, November 28, when they face the Galeries Tower Highrisers at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
