Jovelyn Gonzaga has new-found excitement as she joins the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles for the upcoming 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
Sgt. Jovelyn Gonzaga is set to make her highly-anticipated return with the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles in the upcoming 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
The 32-year-old Gonzaga had her last PVL appearance with Cignal, suiting up for the HD Spikers during the 2024 All-Filipino Conference.
She later sat out the Reinforced and Invitational Conferences to fulfill her duties with the Philippine Army.
But as she made her return to the PVL scene once more, Gonzaga decided it was about time for her to try something new.
“Actually after my rest last conference kasi parang sobrang na-burn out ako, so nag-decide ako mag-rest. Actually wala din sa isip ko mag-change ng team or mag-switch ng team,” Gonzaga told One Sports during the PVL Media Day for the upcoming season.
“Siguro out of nowhere may isang taong lumapit sakin na parang nag-message na, ‘Jov, bakit hindi mo subukan ganito ganyan.’ Parang out of nowhere, what if try ko? Subukan ko. We’ll see kung saan mararating or ano ang magiging takbo ng usapan,” she added.
But why ZUS Coffee? Gonzaga bared a simple feeling she sensed while negotiating with the Thunderbelles for her return to the PVL.
“Siguro sa takbo ng usapan sobrang smooth and na-align sa gusto kong mangyari and nakikita ko rin ‘yung future sa team ngayon. Sa time na nag-rest ako for almost 3 months, ang dami kong realizations eh,” Gonzaga explained.
“Parang may gusto tayong growth na mangyari sa self natin and ano pa bang next purpose na gusto mong gawin. Parang gusto mong maging excited ka, may bago kang gustong gawin. Nung nalaman ko na ayun nag-offer ‘yung ZUS, dun ko na-feel ko ‘yung excitement so sabi ko why not?” she added.
The 'Bionic Ilongga' is expected to greatly boost the Thunderbelles’ campaign, alongside the debuting Thea Gagate, as they look to get their first franchise win in the PVL.
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Though joining a young team, Gonzaga shared that she never felt awkward with her new teammates.
“Two days pa lang naman ako nakakapag-training sa ZUS Coffee and sobrang thankful ako kasi hindi ako naka-feel na any na na-OP [out of place] ako or feeling na kailangan ko ng malaking adjustment, hindi, never ko na-feel ‘yun,” Gonzaga emphasized.
“Thankful ako sa mga teammates ko ngayon kasi very welcoming sila and sa bagay, volleyball, same language. Nagkakaintindihan kayo kaagad and nage-gets niyo isa’t isa,” she added.