Zus Coffee rookie Riza Nogales in action. PVL Media Bureau
MANILA — Riza Nogales is proving that Zus Coffee's 25th overall pick on her during the 2025 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Draft is all worth it.
Nogales was the team's third-rounder during the proceedings in June, but she was actually projected to be selected earlier.
Her draft stock slipped after the University of the East product suffered a partial ACL tear. However, the organization still chose to gamble on her—and she's repaying it now.
"Malaking bagay po sa 'kin 'yung binibigay na tiwala ng coaches and mga ate sa loob, lalo kapag 'yung mga times na may error ako, malaking bagay na pang-boost sa 'kin ‘yung pag-lift up nila sa 'kin sa loob," said Nogales, who poured in 11 points in Zus Coffee's reverse sweep of Akari, 23-25, 22-25, 25-23, 25-12, 15-7, on Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
READ: PVL: DeBeer scores 33 as Zus Coffee outlasts Akari to sweep Pool B
"Ayun lang, dun ako kumukuha ng lakas para mag-perform," she added.
She is bolstering the Thunderbelles blocker rotation, joining the likes of fellow rookie AC Miner and former number one overall pick Thea Gagate.
READ: WHO WENT WHERE: The 2025 PVL Rookie Draft
Nogales said that she's just staying ready for coach Jerry Yee and company, whenever she's called or not, every game.
"Siguro ano lang sa ’kin, one game at a time lang sa ’kin. Every game kailangan maghanda, 'yung mindset na laging ready kahit 'di man ipasok."
The Thunderbelles are on a roll, having won five in a row, completing a sweep of the first round of the 2025 Reinforced Conference.