ZUS Coffee head coach Jerry Yee confirmed that the team is eyeing another middle blocker with their no. 5 pick in the 2025 PVL Rookie Draft.
ZUS Coffee head coach Jerry Yee has his sights set on shoring up the middle as his team gears up for the 2025 PVL Rookie Draft.
Speaking about their fifth overall pick, Yee said the Thunderbelles are prioritizing talent that can immediately help the team, especially in the middle blocker position.
"To be honest, middle," Yee said. "Alam niyo naman ‘yun, nabawasan kami ng middle. Pero ayun, middle pero kung sino man ‘yung best available athlete na matira at number five, ‘yun agad ang kukunin namin."
Yee will have no shortage in selecting a solid middle blocker in the loaded draft class which includes AC Miner, Jean Asis, Riza Nogales, Pia Abbu, and Nica Celis, among others.
Last year, ZUS Coffee also took a premier blocker in Thea Gagate with the first overall pick. Since then, the Thunderbelles have improved greatly in the PVL, reaching their first quarterfinals since entering the league in 2024.
[ALSO READ: No surprise: Thea Gagate selected first overall by ZUS Coffee in inaugural PVL Rookie Draft]
Now, Yee looks to double down on improving their middle blockers, even with the addition of veteran Maika Ortiz.
Yee added that they're looking for a versatile and mobile presence at the net—someone who can contribute both on offense and defense.
"Preferably ‘yung nakakakilos, nakakahabol sa block, nakaka-bigay ng offense. So, general naman ‘yun."
While other teams are expected to make sweeping changes through the draft, Yee noted that ZUS Coffee has already addressed key needs by signing several free agents this offseason.
So far, the Thunderbelles have signed Ortiz, libero Alyssa Eroa, setter Renee Mabilangan, and spiker Fiola Ceballos. As a result, ZUS Coffee is not expected to make a large number of draft picks this year.
"Probably not because nag-sign na tayo ng mga free agents na kailangan natin," he said. "So we’ll get a few. If umabot ng third round, why not? Pero hindi naman as if mag-load pa kami ng roles kasi last year talagang kailangan namin."
With their recent additions and a solid foundation from a breakthrough All-Filipino campaign, Yee is hopeful that this year's draft can further elevate the team’s competitiveness.
"Basta makadagdag sila, maka-improve ng team—‘yun ‘yun. So, sana maganda rin makuha namin sa second round. Hopefully, umabot ‘yung gusto naming second round pick."
The 2025 PVL Rookie Draft will be held on June 8 at Novotel Manila.