The ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles earned the praise of Alyssa Valdez and the Creamline Cool Smashers after their five-set duel in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
The Creamline Cool Smashers’ limits were tested to their fullest extent against the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
Despite being a young team, the Thunderbelles went the full distance against the Cool Smashers but eventually fell short, 22-25, 30-28, 24-26, 25-17, 13-15, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig on Thursday, December 12.
Alyssa Valdez, who was hailed the Player of the Game with 17 points, had nothing but praises for the Thunderbelles, who showed vast improvements in the conference alone.
“I saw their grit, I saw that they won't go down without a fight talaga, and you know as a young team and pagsasama ng mga ibang veteran, ang ganda nilang combination sa ZUS Coffee right now,” Valdez said during the post-game press conference.
The same sentiment was shared by Bernadeth Pons, who attributed the Thunderbelles’ success to the addition of Jovelyn Gonzaga.
“Siguro malaking factor din talaga na nasa kanila si ate Jovs kasi may beterano sila sa loob na isa din sa nagle-lead sa kanila. Maganda din pinakita nila na ayaw nila bumitaw basta-basta. Gusto din nila maipanalo ‘yung team,” said Pons.
Of course, another huge addition for ZUS Coffee was the arrival of the no. 1 pick Thea Gagate.
“Well, malalaman-laman namin na malayo na talaga generation gap namin, kasi dito na kami ang tagpo,” Valdez laughingly said.
“Thea has been one of the biggest impacts in ZUS, and one of the toughest defenders sa ZUS sa kabilang side sa net. Walang kaba ‘yung bata kitang kita mo na confident talaga si Thea,” she added.
The 6-foot-2 middle blocker finished with 15 points on 13 attacks and two blocks. She also made life difficult for Creamline’s spikers as they had to adjust their attacks given her height.
“Unang-una given na malaki siya pero sa skills meron din siya. Ang galing niya, ang tangkad niya pa and siguro isang malaking bagay din ‘yung experience niya sa national team, so walang kaba, perform lang siya,” said Pons.
With the win, Creamline improved to a 4-0 record heading into the Christmas break, while ZUS Coffee dropped to 2-3 with back-to-back defeats.