PVL: Jov Gonzaga leading ‘selfless’ ZUS Coffee in breakthrough run
Jovelyn Gonzaga leads ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles’ Game 1 win over Petro Gazz Angels in the PVL All-Filipino Conference quarterfinals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Jovelyn Gonzaga is attributing ZUS Coffee’s rapid growth — from cellar-dwellers to contenders — to the young players’ selflessness as they look to author a Cinderella run in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
From losing their first 20 games as a franchise, the Thunderbelles moved a win closer to a dream semifinal run after stunning the No.2 Petro Gazz, 25-21, 25-23, 27-25, in Game 1 of their best-of-three quarterfinal series on Tuesday night at Philsports Arena.
READ: PVL quarterfinals: ZUS Coffee stuns Petro Gazz to take Game 1
The veteran spiker nailed the game-winning block on Petro Gazz resurgent star Myla Pablo to continue their run from sweeping the play-in and ending their opponent’s 10-game winning streak.
“I’m just so proud of blocking Myla Pablo. Knowing how quick her hands are, blocking her is so tough. So when I blocked her and saw the ball drop, that was when I knew the game was over,” said Gonzaga in Filipino after scoring 11 points. “You know that feeling when you’re so tired and then the last point comes, and it’s the most important one. I felt so thankful.”
Mich Gamit, who had 10 points and was hailed as the player of the game, said Gonzaga spelled the difference in their breakout campaign.
“For me, Ate Jov always reminds us that when we lose, she notices when our shoulders drop, and she’s the one who lifts us up. She tells us that we have to go through those losses, like the five-set games we almost won. She says we won’t mature or win if we just let those losses hold us back. So, we used our past losses as motivation,” Gamit said in Filipino.
READ: PVL: Thea Gagate happy with ZUS Coffee showing ahead of quarters
Gonzaga, who has been credited with the team’s growth for her veteran smarts and leadership, believes their rise was made possible by their teamwork and every member’s eagerness to win.
“I think the main reason for our success is the teamwork between the coaching staff and the players—how we react to their instructions. Again, as I said earlier, we were all selfless. We didn’t focus on personal achievements; we moved for the team. We needed to win, and that was our reminder every time we stepped on the court—we played for each other. That game was really a total team effort.
The veteran opposite spiker saw the Thunderbelles’ leap coming even before she signed with her new team with the winning attitude of her fellow veteran Chai Troncoso, No.1 pick Thea Gagate, the culture of the College of Saint Benilde, and the addition of the former Farm Fresh Foxies.
ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles in the PVL All-Filipino Conference quarterfinals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
“Before I joined ZUS, I already knew how much potential this team had. I always tell everyone that we can go really far. I’m also really thankful for the attitude of the team; it all boils down to that. That’s what I see in Zus,” Gonzaga said.
“I’m just happy to be with them every day. I’m thankful for them. As Coach said, we’re lucky that the league is long, so our chemistry is slowly working out. Whatever we were lacking at first, we were accepting it, little by little. We might lose, but every time we step back on the court, we have a new goal. The attitude of each player is a huge factor.”
READ: PVL: Vet Jovelyn Gonzaga leads young ZUS Coffee breakthrough
Now that they are a win closer to a breakthrough semifinals appearance, Gonzaga said the job is not done and she vows to work harder after cherishing their biggest win so far.
“We know that for Game 2, we need to work even harder. There’s no room for complacency. Whatever we showed in this game, we’ll double it in the next. We really need to listen to the coaching staff. For now, we’ll savor the win, but we will definitely keep working hard,” she said.
