The 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference has witnessed an inspiring journey of growth for the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles, a team that started its campaign with an uphill battle.
Their first season in the country's premier professional volleyball league was marked by a challenging 20-game losing streak.
However, the Thunderbelles’ resilience shone through, as they broke through on November 19, securing their first-ever franchise victory in a four-set thriller over Nxled.
That moment of triumph proved to be just the beginning.
With newfound confidence, ZUS Coffee went on to dominate Galeries Tower in straight sets, before suffering a setback against Farm Fresh.
Still, they finished the stretch with a respectable 2-2 record—proving they were no longer the underdogs.
Thursday night brought a new level of challenge for the Thunderbelles as they faced the formidable Creamline Cool Smashers, the reigning Grand Slam champions.
In what turned out to be a gripping encounter, ZUS Coffee fought tooth and nail, pushing the powerhouse team to the limit.
The five-set battle ended in heartbreak for the Thunderbelles, as they succumbed to Creamline, 22-25, 30-28, 24-26, 25-17, 13-15, at the Philsports Arena.
Despite the loss, the Thunderbelles earned respect for their determination.
Alyssa Valdez and Bernadeth Pons, two of the biggest stars in Philippine volleyball, took a moment after the match to commend ZUS Coffee's growth and grit.
"Honestly, I think more than anything, I saw their grit. I saw that they won’t go down without a fight talaga," Valdez remarked, who contributed 17 points in the match. "As a young team with a mix of veterans, ang ganda ng combination nila sa ZUS Coffee right now."
Pons, who also played a pivotal role in the win, echoed Valdez's sentiments, focusing on the Thunderbelles’ relentless spirit. "I guess one thing na nakita ko now is yung grit talaga. That attitude that, even though they’re one of the youngest teams, they’ll fight talaga for their pride and honor," she said.
The Thunderbelles’ remarkable improvement is no accident. During the offseason, they made strategic moves to strengthen their roster.
The addition of young talents such as Chinnie Arroyo, Kate Santiago, and Ypril Tapia gave the team an infusion of fresh energy, while the inclusion of veterans like Jovelyn Gonzaga and Chai Troncoso helped provide the leadership necessary for growth.
The arrival of inaugural draft first overall pick, Thea Gagate, further solidified the team's ambitions for success after her commitments with Alas Pilipinas in the Reinforced Conference.
For Pons, the presence of Gonzaga has been particularly instrumental in the Thunderbelles' development.
The veteran outside hitter has played a vital role in uniting the team and instilling a winning mentality.
"Siguro malaking factor din talaga na nasa kanila si Ate Jovs kasi may beterano sila sa loob na isa din sa nagle-lead sa kanila," Pons said. "Maganda din pinakita nila na ayaw nila bumitaw basta-basta. Gusto din nila maipanalo ‘yung team."
