ZUS Coffee gets its first real litmus test not just for a strong positioning in Pool B in the second round of the preliminaries but more importantly to gain respect and recognition as it faces defending champion Creamline in a blockbuster Thursday offering of the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference on Thursday at the FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan.
The Thunderbelles return to the court after a week off 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 and the key would be reinforcement Anna DeBeer.
The former University of Louisville standout has blended seamlessly into coach Jerry Yee’s system-she 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.
‘We’re still a work in progress,’ said the soft-spoken Yee, 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.’
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.
Akari and Petro Gazz, meanwhile, 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 and the Angels (2-1), on the other hand, are eager to remain on track after falling to the Cool Smashers.