ZUS Coffee Regains Its Spark, Reasserts Itself as a Legit Threat Ahead of PVL QFs

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by Misha Cruz

ZUS Coffee huddles during their game versus Nxled.
ZUS Coffee huddles during their game versus Nxled. Photo: PVL Images.

If there was any doubt about how ZUS Coffee would respond after getting rattled last week, the Thunderbelles answered with a clean, confident mic drop performance.

ZUS Coffee swept Nxled, 25-13, 25-21, 25-21, on Tuesday at the Ynares Center in Montalban, wrapping up the prelims in just 78 minutes and reminding everyone why they’ve been sitting near the top of the Reinforced Conference standings all tournament long. This was the bounce-back win they absolutely needed, and wow, did they deliver.

Anna DeBeer once again played like the reinforcement every team dreams of, dropping 16 points with full control. But the real glow-up moment? The locals stepping up big. AC Miner was unstoppable in the middle with 15 points, while Chinnie Arroyo and Kate Santiago chipped in 10 and nine, giving ZUS that balanced, layered offense that makes them so fun and so hard to stop.

Stat check? ZUS Coffee dominated the Chameleons in all scoring categories: 49 attacks, six blocks, three aces. That’s the kind of across-the-board performance that restores rhythm, boosts confidence, and screams: “We’re ready for Monday’s knockout quarters.”

ZUS Coffee setter Cloanne Mondonedo.
ZUS Coffee setter Cloanne Mondonedo. Photo: PVL Images.

Setter Cloanne Mondonedo also looked razor-sharp, tossing 23 excellent sets, almost double the tally of Nxled’s Jaja Maraguinot. Santiago and DeBeer anchored the floor with a combined 20 digs between them, giving ZUS the defensive stability they were missing in their loss to Cignal.

As for Nxled, their tough season ends at 0-8, though Paola Martinez (15), Lyann de Guzman (10), and Chiara Permentilla (9) still put in gritty efforts. De Guzman even posted a double-double in digs and receptions, proving the Chameleons never stopped battling.

“It was really important for us to get our confidence back,” DeBeer said after the win. Miner echoed the vibe, calling the win “great” and saying the team needed this reset heading into the quarters.

And honestly? She’s right. This rookie franchise used to fly under the radar, but not anymore. With DeBeer powering the offense and a rejuvenated local core of Gonzaga, Arroyo, Miner, Gagate, Nogales, Mondonedo, ZUS Coffee isn’t just trying to surprise people. They’re trying to convince everyone they belong among the elite.

ZUS Coffee's AC Miner goes up against Nxled's Chiara Permentilla.
ZUS Coffee's AC Miner goes up against Nxled's Chiara Permentilla. Photo: PVL Images.

With the victory, the Thunderbelles jumped to 20 points, still vulnerable to PLDT and Farm Fresh overtaking them depending on Thursday’s results. But whether they land at No. 1, No. 2, or No. 3, one thing’s clear: ZUS Coffee wants all the smoke.

They’re not just trying to make the quarterfinals interesting; they’re aiming to reshape the entire playoff picture, one confident swing at a time.