ZUS Coffee gained a share of the early lead in Pool B after making short work of Galeries Tower, 25-22, 25-16, 25-16, in the PVL Reinforced Conference on Tuesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Anna DeBeer sustained her fine form with 18 points as a follow up to her 37-point explosion against Chery Tiggo last Saturday. DeBeer recorded 15 spikes, two aces, and a block in just 85 minutes as the Thunderbelles tied the Akari Chargers atop their group. Rookie AC Miner backstopped the American import with 10 points on an efficient 7-of-13 attacking clip, two aces, and a block.
‘I’ve been with the team for over three months now, so I think my connection with the setter has really improved,’ said Miner in Filipino. ‘It’s still our job to keep working on that connection, not just with the setter, but with everyone. It’s something we’ll continue to develop throughout this conference and in our practices.’
Setter Clo Mondoñedo paced the Thunderbelles with 20 excellent sets. Fiola Ceballos had seven points, while Riza Nogales and Kate Santiago added six points each. Libero Alyssa Eroa protected the floor with 14 digs and nine excellent receptions.
‘We’re still trying to get better. Still a lot of lapses. It’s a work in progress,’ said ZUS Coffee coach Jerry Yee.
‘We’re really waiting for the more challenging teams to come, because that’s when everything we’ve been working on will really be tested. Hopefully, by then, our lapses won’t be too many.’
ZUS Coffee will have ample time to prepare for its next game against Creamline, which it took down in the PVL on Tour, on October 23 at FilOil EcoOil Centre.
Montenegrin import Jelena Cvijovic was the lone double-digit scorer for Galeries with 11 points and nine excellent receptions. Jean Asis had nine points.
The HighRisers, now 0-2 tied with Chery Tiggo, battle the Cool Smashers in Ilagan City on Saturday.