The Zus Coffee Thunderbelles. PVL Media Bureau
MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Zus Coffee pulled off a massive upset as it thwarted Petro Gazz in straight sets, 25-21, 25-23, 27-25, in Game 1 of the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference Quarterfinals on Tuesday at the PhilSports Arena.
The Thunderbelles are now leading 1-0 in the best-of-three series, inching closer to a historic semis berth.
Zus Coffee leader Jovelyn Gonzaga said they were still in shock minutes after the sweep of a championship contender. She went on to point out one key factor which allowed them to take Game 1: selfless attitude.
"Sobra akong speechless, grabe 'yung teamwork na pinakita ng team. Very selfless 'yung pinakita, gagalaw talaga kami for each and everyone of us — for the team, for the coaching staff," Gonzaga said during the postgame press conference.
READ: PVL: Gonzaga always believed Zus Coffee had potential. The Thunderbelles are showing it now.
They also snapped the Angels' 10-game winning streak which spanned since the preliminaries.
"Wala akong masabi; sobrang proud ako, shocked pa na na-straight sets namin Petro Gazz," she added.
Both teams exchanged clutch hits late in the match, but Thunderbelles' Chinnie Arroyo was able to give them them edge at 24-23, moving into a point away from stealing the game.
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But the always-outstanding Brooke Van Sickle was there to extend it, unleashing a sharp spike in the center which the Thunderbelles could not answer.
The Petro Gazz side even snatched the lead after Chai Troncoso's attack went wide, but Gonzaga was there to make it a race to 27 with a checkball hit.
Myla Pablo committed an unlucky attack error which went out for a 26-25 Zus Coffee lead, and then Gonzaga asserted her will, blocking Pablo on the net to seal the deal for the Thunderbelles who immediately turned emotional after the triumph.
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"Kailangan namin manalo — 'yun talaga 'yung reminder namin every time na umaapak kami sa court, na maglalaro kami para sa bawat isa," said Gonzaga.
Troncoso laid the groundwork as she took off a part of the scoring load with a game-high 14 points including four kill blocks; Thea Gagate and Gonzaga collected 11 points each, while Mich Gamit and Arroyo chipped in 10.
Troncoso also helped in the defense as well, tallying 16 excellent receptions and nine excellent digs.
Cloanne Mondonedo displayed her playmaking skills as she logged 19 excellent sets in three sets.
Meanwhile, Van Sickle paced the losing side with 18 points, while Pablo had 14 markers.
Zus Coffee has a chance to win it all in Game 2 on Saturday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. First serve is at 4 p.m.