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In the Premier Volleyball League (PVL), great playmaking is synonymous with great team-building — which is why, simply put, the best teams almost always have the best setters.
Jia de Guzman, Kyle Negrito, Kim Fajardo, Gel Cayuna, and Djanel Cheng are among the league’s most celebrated champion orchestrators today. Now, another name is rising to join that elite circle: Cloanne Mondoñedo of the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles — the only undefeated team left in the 2025 Reinforced Conference.
The multi-time NCAA titlist dished out 27 excellent sets and scored four points in a thrilling five-set reverse sweep of Akari, 23-25, 22-25, 25-23, 25-12, 15-7, last Tuesday. She followed it up with another stellar performance, recording 26 excellent sets and three points in ZUS Coffee’s 25-20, 25-22, 24-26, 25-19 victory over Choco Mucho last Saturday in Candon City, Ilocos Sur.
For her efforts in leading ZUS Coffee to a franchise-best 6-0 start and its third-ever quarterfinal appearance, Mondoñedo was named the unanimous PVL Press Corps Player of the Week presented by Pilipinas Live for the period of November 4 to 8.
For Mondoñedo, it’s not about outshining her teammates but pushing herself to match their energy and passion.
"Makikita mo rin naman kasi sila na talagang... alam mo yun? Magiging motivated ka rin naman because of them, kasi makikita mo rin naman talaga na gusto nilang manalo," she said after their win over Choco Mucho — a match also highlighted by Maddie Madayag’s PVL record-tying 10-block outing and Riza Nogales’ seven blocks.
After Cignal’s Erika Santos two weeks ago, Mondoñedo becomes only the second local player to earn the weekly citation in the Reinforced Conference. The award is deliberated by print and online reporters covering the pioneering professional volleyball league organized by Sports Vision.
The former College of St. Benilde star and longtime Jerry Yee understudy edged out strong contenders, including ZUS Coffee teammates Jovelyn Gonzaga and import Anna DeBeer, Capital1’s Sasha Bytsenko, Cignal’s KT Trebichavska, Creamline’s Coco Schwan, and PLDT’s Savi Davison.
Looking ahead, Mondoñedo emphasizes the need for consistency as the Thunderbelles eye a golden opportunity to capture their first PVL championship — just a few years removed from being considered league underdogs.
"Siguro gusto ko pa personally na kahit papano hindi na maging mahirap for us," she said.
"So ako personally, gusto kong gawing mas better pa yung trabaho ko para maging madali rin for them yung job nila."
Though already assured of a playoff berth, Mondoñedo and the Thunderbelles aim to keep their perfect run alive and complete an 8-0 sweep of the elimination round — first against Cignal next Thursday, then against Nxled on November 18.
All games are streamed live and on demand via the Pilipinas Live app and at www.pvl.ph.
