For the first time in franchise history, ZUS Coffee booked a spot in the PVL Final Four.
ZUS Coffee dominated Capital1, 25-14, 25-20, 25-18, to reach the Reinforced Conference semifinals on Monday at Smart Araneta Coliseum. The second-seeded Thunderbelles continued their dream run in the playoffs after winning seven of their eight games in the elimination round.
Anna DeBeer sustained her lethal form, while setter Clo Mondoñedo continued to pace the red-hot squad, which joined the league as an expansion team in 2024.
DeBeer delivered the goods anew with 24 points, all from attacks, on top of eight digs and seven excellent receptions.
‘I’m super happy. I mean, it really shows how we’ve been doing all season long. It’s like everyone stepping up in different moments. I think it’s a full-on team effort,’ said the American import. ‘Like, I could not do anything I do without everyone out there, which is really exciting, and that’s gonna help us carry on in the semis and hopefully in the Finals.’
Mondoñedo dished out 17 excellent sets, as Chinnie Arroyo and Riza Nogales chipped in eight and seven points, respectively. Jovelyn Gonzaga and AC Miner added six each.
ZUS Coffee faces the winner of the PLDT and Cignal duel on Thursday also at the Big Dome.
‘Happy, but we still have more games ahead. Unfortunately, the format is one loss and you’re out, so we really have to be prepared,’ said ZUS Coffee coach Jerry Yee.
Capital1 ended its campaign with a quarterfinal exit for the second Reinforced Conference in a row, with rookie Bella Belen closing her first tournament as a pro.
Sasha Bytsenko was the lone bright spot with 19 points in her final game for the Solar Spikers, while Belen had nine points and 19 excellent receptions.