PVL: ZUS Coffee nails 2nd straight win behind new acquisitions

ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles in the PVL All-Filipino Conference.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–ZUS Coffee strung up its first-ever winning streak in the PVL with a 25-22, 25-16, 25-19 defeat of Galeries Tower in the All-Filipino Conference on Thursday at PhilSports Arena.

Chinnie Arroyo came up big for her new squad with 14 points on 11 attacks, two aces and a block while another new cog Chai Troncoso contributed 11 points as the Thunderbelles improved to 2-1.

“Excited siyempre. We see them practice, we see them improve. Gusto namin yung growth, gusto namin yung maturity lalo yung dala ng mga veterans. Ang laki ng push para samin so hopefully magtuloy-tuloy kami,” ZUS Coffee coach Jerry Yee said on the team’s improvements.

READ: PVL: Jovelyn Gonzaga makes immediate impact at ZUS Coffee

ZUS coach Jerry Yee, Thea Gagate, and Chinnie Arroyo on their second straight win. #PVL2025 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/FbBwcUVFwx

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) November 28, 2024

“Proud lang [with how the team performed],” Arroyo said. “Talented naman na kasi mga teammates ko eh kasi hindi naman sila pupunta ng pro kung wala silang talent, so share share lang kami ng mga contribution.”

Rookie Thea Gagate added nine points, three of which from her net defense while playmaker Cloanne Mondoñedo tossed in 12 excellent sets.

“Happy ako kasi na-translate namin kung ano ‘yung pinagtatrainingan namin so far, so hopefully lang tuloy-tuloy ‘yung transition and para makakuha ng more wins,” Gagate said.

READ: PVL: Communication key to ZUS Coffee’s first win

Roselle Baliton and France Ronquillo each had 12 points for the Highrisers, who dropped their fourth consecutive match. Jho Maraguinot also contributed 10 points.

ZUS Coffee will try to extend its winning run against sister team Farm Fresh next Thursday at Smart Araneta Coliseum while Galeries Tower continues its search for a breakthrough win over Capital1 on Dec. 7 in Cebu.