Chinnie Arroyo credited ZUS Coffee's collective grit and composure for their breakthrough upset win over crowd favorite Creamline in the PVL on Tour.
The ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles can officially say they’ve made their mark in the PVL after their breakthrough win against the mighty Creamline Cool Smashers.
Behind Chinnie Arroyo’s 23-point explosion, the Thunderbelles toppled the Cool Smashers in a thrilling five-set battle, 24-26, 25-20, 25-23, 22-25, 15-11, during the PVL on Tour at the City of Passi Arena in Iloilo City.
It was ZUS Coffee’s first-ever victory over the Grand Slam champions, and for Arroyo, it was a result of mental focus and sheer determination.
“Alam po namin crowd favorites ang Creamline, pero tinatak po talaga namin sa isip na hindi dapat kami maapektuhan. Kami ang nasa laro, kami ang lumalaban,” Arroyo said during the post-game interview.
The Thunderbelles, who joined the league back in the 2024 All-Filipino Conference, showed just how far they’ve come, taking down a powerhouse team that has long been the gold standard in the PVL.
“Malaking bagay po ito sa amin. Creamline yan—champion team, mga ate namin—so sobrang proud ako sa buong team,” said Arroyo. “Hindi lang ako ‘yung lumaban. Dahil sa teammates ko, kaya namin nakuha ‘tong panalong ‘to.”
Having come close in their past few matches against the Cool Smashers, this victory has become proof for Arroyo and her teammates that they are indeed here to compete for the title.
“Lahat naman po gusto namin panalunin and well, parang challenge din po ito samin eh kasi champion team po and kami nag-start lang naman kami sa mababa,” she added. "Hindi pa po kami sobrang matagal magkasama, so super happy po kasi talagang ang sarap manalo."
[ALSO READ: How the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles brewed a PVL playoff team]
ZUS Coffee now looks ahead to an even tougher task as they take on the Cignal HD Spikers tomorrow, July 20, still at the City of Passi Arena.