PVL: ZUS Coffee shows ‘potential’ despite winless Reinforced stint

ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles in the PVL Reinforced Conference. -MARLO CUETO/INQUIRERnet

MANILA, Philippines — ZUS Coffee setter Cloanne Mondoñedo knows her team showed potential despite a winless campaign in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference with Japanese spiker Asaka Tamaru.

Bannering a new name and roster, the franchise, formerly Strong Group Athletics, had another winless conference for the second straight tournament after absorbing their eighth loss to Creamline, 25-17, 25-15, 25-22, on Thursday at FilOIl EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

Mondoñedo, the NCAA MVP who led the College of Saint Benilde to three straight unbeaten title runs, is hoping their winless campaign can lead them to be a better team in the All-Filipino in November.

SCHEDULE: 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference second round

“Even though we’re winless this conference, we’re still proud of our campaign this conference,” said the young setter in Filipino. “Being young and a new team is not an excuse. But we saw our potential this conference.”

The former Lady Blazer is grateful for Tamaru, who carried the cudgels of the Thunderbelles all conference long.

“Despite the language barrier, she tried to communicate with us and showed that even though her game is more of the basic [fundamentals], it’s still impressive. And we learned from her,” said Mondoñedo.

ZUS Coffee import Asaka Tamaru. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Tamaru, the top spiker of Invitational Conference champion Kurashiki Ablaze, had a great time with ZUS, urging them to keep going. 

“Whatever happens, you enjoy every game,” said the Japanese import to her teammates, translated by Creamline middle blocker and her friend Risa Sato. “I enjoyed here [with the Thunderbelles].”

Tamaru is looking forward to defending Kurashiki’s Invitational Conference title against the semifinalists of Reinforced and another foreign guest team in September

“I’m excited to be with Kurashiki again,” she said.

ZUS Coffee, though, is banking on  No.1 pick Thea Gagate in the All-Filipino as it hopes to finally earn a breakthrough win.

“We’re excited to work with Thea since all the teams have been eyeing her,” Mondoñedo said. “We need to improve our maturity inside the court because we can compete, we always fell short.”