The Zus Coffee Thunderbelles. PVL Media Bureau
MANILA — Zus Coffee pulled off a stunning reverse sweep against Akari to nail its first win in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference.
The Thunderbelles showed a no-quit mentality en route to a 16-25, 18-25, 25-18, 25-23, 15-12 victory over the Chargers, keeping the latter winless in two games on Thursday at the Filoil Centre in San Juan.
They first pulled away in the fifth set, 8-4, setting the tone in their favor. Ivy Lacsina likewise didn't quit for Akari, pulling her team into a one-point deficit, 8-7, with a long shot, but was blocked in the succeeding play as Fiola Ceballos capitalized on that with two straight kills to give Zus Coffee an 11-8 lead.
After a Lacsina hit at the 12-10 mark, Akari's Judith Abil suffered a crucial service error that gifted a point to the other side.
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Jov Gonzaga made up for a Clo Mondonedo error, securing an attack point via a long shot to put Zus Coffee on match point, 14-11.
Eli Soyud kept Akari alive with an off-the-block hit, but Chinnie Arroyo thankfully was there for the Thunderbelles as she fired the game-sealing off-the-block kill, marking the team's maiden win even without the ailing coach Jerry Yee.
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Arroyo posted 18 points and 11 digs, had help from the veteran Gonzaga who delivered 14 points. Libero Alyssa Eroa did her job by defending their side of the court with 21 excellent digs and 11 excellent receptions, while Mondonedo tallied 16 excellent sets.
Coach Onyok Getigan is stepping in for Yee, calling the shots for now for Zus Coffee.
Meanwhile, pacing the losing cause was Lacsina, who had a stellar night, garnering 24 points and nine excellent receptions, while Fifi Sharma had 14 points including five blocks.