There is nowhere to go but up for the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles after back-to-back playoff appearances, and the addition of Anna DeBeer is expected to strengthen their young but promising roster in the PVL Reinforced Conference starting Tuesday at Ynares Center in Montalban.
From being pushovers last year, ZUS Coffee became instant playoff contenders after drafting Thea Gagate and signing Jovelyn Gonzaga and other key players in Chinnie Arroyo, Chai Troncoso, and Kate Santiago to reach the quarterfinals of the 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference and PVL on Tour.
The 5-foot-11 DeBeer, who played for the University of Louisville in the US NCAA Division I and for Indy Ignite in the Major Volleyball League, brings additional firepower for coach Jerry Yee’s side. But Yee emphasized that the team will continue to lean on its locals in the import-laden conference. ‘We just want to keep improving, no steps back. That’s really what we’re watching closely-just progress,’ said Yee in Filipino. ‘Hopefully, we keep getting better. We’ll continue to depend more on our local players, especially our middles.’
Gagate returns to ZUS Coffee after the national team season with Alas Pilipinas, teaming up with No. 5 pick AC Miner, and Invitational Best Middle Blocker Riza Nogales.
‘She’s been training for a few weeks now. At first, she was slowly integrated, but she’s been able to catch up well so far.’
So far, Yee is pleased with the team’s progress with DeBeer connecting well with Gagate and Co.
‘Anna’s really kind, very simple, and still young-same age as most of our team. The team chemistry with her is good so far, and we’re hoping that translates into good games and strong connection on the court,’ he said.