PVL: Strong Group taps coach Jerry Yee, rebrands to Zus Coffee

Coach Jerry Yee with some of her players from the CSB Lady Blazers.–STRONG GROUP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Strong Group Athletics has tapped Jerry Yee as its new head coach as part of its rebrand to Zus Coffee Thunderbelles for the upcoming Premier Volleyball League (PVL) conference.

The Thunderbelles will embark on their new journey under the guidance of Yee, a seasoned mentor known for his championship pedigree. The changes come after Strong Group went winless in its maiden PVL conference.

Yee, who previously called the shots for sister team Farm Fresh Foxies, will now take over the coaching reins from SGA interim head coach Onyok Getigan.

READ: Jerry Yee tempers expectations for new-look Farm Fresh

“We are thankful to Zus Coffee for helping us build our second team in the PVL. With this, we are bringing in coach Jerry Yee, who is the head of our volleyball program in Strong Group,” said Zus Coffee team manager Kiara Cruz. “Being a multiple-time champion coach, we are confident that he can lead the Thunderbelles to the top of the PVL one day.”

In assembling the Thunderbelles roster, Yee has brought his quartet of graduating seniors from College of Saint Benilde in Gayle Pascual, Cloanne Mondoñedo, Michelle Gamit, and Jade Gentapa.

The core group was instrumental in the Lady Blazers’ 40-game winning streak and three consecutive NCAA championships.

READ: PVL: Strong Group names ex-Adamson mentor Onyok Getigan as coach

“I’m glad to have the St. Benilde seniors in our team Zus Coffee. It’s good that magkakasama pa rin kami sa PVL. They will be the core of our team as we build this team through the upcoming draft,” said Yee

Pascual is a 5-foot-8 opposite spiker and two-time NCAA Finals MVP while Mondoñedo is the reigning NCAA Season 99 MVP and Best Setter.

Gentapa was the NCAA Season 98 Finals MVP and Season 98 2nd Best Outside Spiker while Michelle Gamit, a 5-foot-9 middle, is one of Yee’s most reliable players.

Pascual, Gentapa, Gamit, and Mondoñedo previously played as special guest players for Farm Fresh last season.