ZUS Coffee’s Thea Gagate and Jov Gonzaga
celebrate with their teammates during a win over Nxled in the PVL All-Filipino Conference.–PVL PHOTO
ANTIPOLO CITY—ZUS Coffee finally posted its first win in the PVL after a 19-25, 25-23, 25-22, 25-15 victory over Nxled in the All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday at Ynares Center here.
Seasoned hitter Jovelyn Gonzaga paved the way for the Thunderbelles’ breakthrough win since it joined the league earlier in the year.
Gonzaga showed her experience and leadership en route to a 23-point outing. She had 20 attacks on 67 percent efficiency and three blocks as the Thunderbelles snapped a 20-game losing streak.
READ: PVL: Vet Jovelyn Gonzaga leads young ZUS Coffee breakthrough
ZUS Coffee stars Jov Gonzaga, Thea Gagate, and Cloanne Mondoñedo after their first franchise win. #PVL2025 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/czgk9JWDPW
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) November 19, 2024
No. 1 pick Thea Gagate continued to show her worth for the franchise after resetting her career-best with 16 points on 10 attacks, five blocks and an ace.
“Sobrang happy since first win and tagal naming hinintay to and thankful kami kay Thea and ate Jov kasi ang laki talagang tulong nila sa team namin lalo na yung maturity and yung leadership ni ate Jovelyn,” young captain Cloanne Mondoñedo said as she tossed 17 excellent sets.
“Kailangan ko mag step up kasi once na nag step up ako, makakahugot din ng kumpiyansa yung teammates ko at the same time ang laki kasi talaga ng tiwala ko sa talent at potential ng bawat isa,” Gonzaga said,
After losing the opening frame, the Thunderbelles stepped up behind Gagate and Gonzaga. Chai Troncoso, Mich Gamit and Chinnie Arroyo also played crucial roles in offense.
SCHEDULE: PVL All-Filipino Conference 2024-2025
Nxled threatened a comeback with a late 7-0 run in the fourth set after coach Jerry Yee pulled back his starters before Gayle Pascual took charge to score her only three points for the win.
The Chameleons absorbed a second consecutive loss in as many games under new Italian coach Ettore Guidetti despite 19 points from Chiara Permentilla. Rookie Lucille Almonte added 12 points.
ZUS hopes to add another victory as it battles Galeries, which is playing PLDT at of posting time, on November 28 at PhilSports Arena while Nxled looks for a first win this conference against Chery Tiggo next on Nov. 26 at the same Pasig City venue.