The ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles aim to secure a historic PVL All-Filipino semifinal berth as they go toe-to-toe with the Petro Gazz Angels once more—this time for all the marbles in a winner-take-all Game 3.
The ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles are on the brink of an unprecedented 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference semifinal appearance as they take on the Petro Gazz Angels in a decisive Game 3 of their quarterfinal series at the PhilSports Arena on Tuesday, March 25.
The upstart Thunderbelles stunned the Angels in Game 1 with a 25-21, 25-23, 27-25 victory, showing composure and grit against the experienced powerhouse.
[ALSO READ: PVL: Jovelyn Gonzaga left speechless after ZUS Coffee’s Game 1 sweep of Petro Gazz in QF]
However, the Jerry Yee-led squad struggled to maintain their momentum in Game 2, falling in straight sets, 25-19, 25-13, 28-26 to set the stage for a winner-takes-all showdown.
For ZUS Coffee, this match is an opportunity to prove that the team's impressive campaign is no fluke.
Chinnie Arroyo was the only ZUS Coffee player to score in double figures in Game 2. Thea Gagate and Chai Troncoso chipped in eight points each, while Jovelyn Gonzaga had seven markers.
[ALSO READ: PVL: What has changed for ZUS Coffee? Gonzaga, Gamit reflect on rise to semis contention]
Despite the loss, the Thunderbelles remain determined, banking on their mix of young standouts and veteran leadership to rise to the occasion.
With a semifinal ticket on the line, ZUS Coffee must recapture the magic of their Game 1 performance to upset the second-seeded Petro Gazz once more.
The winner of this high-stakes battle will join Creamline, Choco Mucho, and Akari in the round-robin semifinals, which kick off on Saturday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Game 3 between ZUS Coffee and Petro Gazz will begin at 6:00 p.m.
(With reports from Kiko Demigillo)
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[Editor's note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital with the help of AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]