Comeback Player of the Year awardee Alyssa Eroa gears up for a new chapter with ZUS Coffee, aiming to bring veteran poise and defensive grit to the Thunderbelles' backline.
Alyssa Eroa is ready for a new chapter.
After a breakout run with Galeries Tower that reignited her PVL career, the star libero is now setting her sights on bigger goals with the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles.
[ALSO READ: Alyssa Eroa to ZUS Coffee as Thunderbelles boost defense with former PVL Best Libero]
Fresh off being named Comeback Player of the Year and Best Libero at the Pilipinas Live PVL Press Corps Awards Night, Eroa sees her move not just as a simple transfer, but a fresh start.
“Parang bagong panimula tapos bagong magiging pamilya, kapatid, at ate,” Eroa told reporters. “Dito, mate-tetest 'yung pagiging contributor ko as an experienced na player. Siguro sa sobrang dami nilang ate doon, mas kalmado na ako ngayon.”
Now adjusting to a team with both seasoned players and rising talents, the 4-foot-11 libero is confident in her ability to blend in with the Thunderbelles.
Coming from a youthful Galeries Tower squad, Eroa believes her previous experience working with younger players will help her strike the right balance in her new role.
“Siguro doon ako sa may mga mas bata, okay na ako kasi medyo tumagal naman ako sa Galeries na puro bata yung kasama ko,” she shared. “Siguro medyo mahihirapan lang ako kasi may ate na ulit ako. Pero alam ko yung pakiramdam na hindi sumusunod, kaya ako naman yung magfo-follow sa mga ate.”
Though she’s excited about this fresh opportunity, leaving the Highrisers wasn’t easy for Eroa. It was the team that gave her a second chance in the league and where she flourished, eventually earning Best Libero honors in the 2023 Reinforced Conference.
“Medyo mahirap at nakakalungkot nung nagpaalam ako sa kanila,” she admitted. “Sila yung nagbigay sa akin ng chance para makabalik ng PVL. Maayos naman yung naging pag-alis.”
[ALSO READ: Alyssa Eroa parts ways with Galeries Tower after breakthrough PVL playoff campaign]
Looking ahead, Eroa is focused on consistency and growth with ZUS Coffee, which is eager to make even bigger waves in the PVL following their quarterfinal run in the 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference.
“Kung ano 'yung nabigay ko sa Galeries, sana mabigay ko rin sa ZUS,” she said. “Sinu-sure ko rin talaga na masuklian 'yung tiwala ng ZUS sa akin.”