Getting the right pieces for an expansion franchise was key for coach Jerry Yee in fast-tracking the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles’ rise from cellar dwellers to title contenders in the PVL Reinforced Conference.
From a club that didn’t win a single game in their debut in the 2024 All-Filipino Conference, Yee brought his champion players from College of Saint Benilde, led by ace setter Clo Mondoñedo to bolster the squad. They also signed Jovelyn Gonzaga and drafted Thea Gagate as their first overall pick in the inaugural draft.
This season, the Thunderbelles signed libero Alyssa Eroa and hitter Fiola Ceballos for added veteran presence and drafted AC Miner at No.5 and got steals in the next rounds in Mycah Go and Riza Nogales.
ZUS Coffee is now a win away from reaching a dream final after booking the franchise’s first-ever semifinal appearance with a 25-14, 25-20, 25-18 sweep of Capital1 on Monday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
‘It’s really tough when you don’t have all the pieces you need. This year, we added more players, and we even have two rookies in the first six-that’s a huge help. We’re happy with how things turned out,’ said Yee in Filipino.
Yee, who steered his team to a franchise-best 7-1 record in the elimination round, was very fortunate to pick up the right pieces to build this team.
‘When you get the right pieces, when you draft the players you really need, it makes a big difference. It’s not about picking players just for the sake of it and then not being able to use them. That actually makes things harder. We’re lucky we got the players who filled the gaps in our roster,’ he said.
Mondoñedo, who emerged as a frontrunner in the Best Setter race, shared the same sentiment.
‘I’m super proud, especially since this is our first time reaching this stage. You can really see that everyone wanted to make the semifinals. I’m just happy and proud of the progress our team has made,’ Mondoñedo said.
ZUS Coffee eyes its first-ever finals appearance against PLDT on Thursday at the Big Dome.
‘We just have to follow the system and the coaches’ instructions. As long as we follow, things will flow,’ said Mondoñedo.