ZUS Coffee gets its first real litmus test – not just in its bid for a strong Pool B standing in the second round of the preliminaries – but more importantly, in its pursuit of respect and recognition as it faces defending champion Creamline in a blockbuster Thursday offering of the PVL Reinforced Conference at the FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan.
Over a week removed from their last match, the Thunderbelles return to the court for a crucial 6:30 p.m. duel against the powerhouse Cool Smashers. Fresh and brimming with confidence following impressive wins over Galeries and Chery Tiggo, ZUS Coffee is enjoying its finest start in its two-year PVL stint.
The key? Reinforcement Anna DeBeer.
The former University of Louisville standout has blended seamlessly into coach Jerry Yee’s system. DeBeer dropped 37 points against the EV Crossovers and followed it up with 18 in a clinical rout of the Highrisers. As she braces for a high-stakes duel with Creamline counterpart Coco Schwan and her deep supporting cast, DeBeer will need to summon every ounce of skill and composure.
Despite their hot start, Yee remains cautious.
“We’re still a work in progress,” said the soft-spoken tactician, known for his calm demeanor and no-frills approach. “There are still a lot of lapses we need to address. We’re waiting for the tougher teams – that’s when everything we’re working on will really come out.”
That moment arrives now.
Creamline, smarting from a shock five-set loss to Akari in their opener, has since bounced back with dominant wins over Petro Gazz and Galeries Tower. With momentum regained, the crowd favorites are determined to both extend their run and snap the Thunderbelles’ growing bubble.
Before the Creamline-ZUS Coffee showdown, Akari and Petro Gazz square off in a pivotal 4 p.m. clash, with both teams eyeing a strong position in the Top 3 race.
The Chargers, bannered by import Annie Mitchem, are looking to sustain a fine start after back-to-back wins. But it’s the performance of their local core – Eli Soyud, Ced Domingo, Chenie Tagaod and Fifi Sharma – that has turned heads, providing a balanced scoring punch behind their American reinforcement.
Meanwhile, the Angels (2-1) are eager to remain on track after falling to the Cool Smashers. Still, their depth and experience remain key strengths, with Lindsey Vander Weide and Brooke Van Sickle anchoring the squad, supported by MJ Phillips, Myla Pablo, Ranya Musa and Jonah Sabete.
Kicking off the day’s triple-header is a battle of winless squads, as Chery Tiggo and Galeries Tower (both 0-3) face off at 1:30 p.m. in search of a morale-boosting victory before they face Pool A’s top teams in the next round.
Though out of Top 3 contention, both the Crossovers and Highrisers are looking to build momentum and find positives heading into tougher territory.
The top three teams from Pool B after the single-round prelims will cross over to face the bottom three from Pool A in the next phase. With four teams – ZUS Coffee, Creamline, Akari and Petro Gazz – vying for those spots, every match counts, and every point could prove decisive.
As the action heats up in the year-ending conference organized by Sports Vision and backed by ICTSI, Milcu, Mikasa and Fabriano, the stakes grow higher – and Thursday’s slate may just be the turning point for several contenders.
