The ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles overcame the absence of import Anna DeBeer to open their PVL Reinforced campaign with a gritty five-set win over the Akari Chargers.
The ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles didn’t let the absence of their import slow them down.
Instead, they dug deep and rallied from behind to beat the Akari Chargers, 24-26, 25-23, 17-25, 26-24, 15-7, in their opening match of the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference on Tuesday, October 7, at the Ynares Center Montalban.
Both teams were forced to play without their foreign reinforcements amid the delay in the release of International Transfer Certificates (ITCs). For ZUS Coffee, that meant debuting without American import Anna DeBeer, while Akari missed Annie Mitchem.
Despite the unexpected situation, the Thunderbelles stayed composed and made the most of the cards they were dealt.
“Siguro kami, we played the hand we were dealt lang naman since patas, walang import pareho,” said AC Miner, who finished with 10 points in the win. “So laro lang din even if nag-prepare kami with Anna.
“Maganda pa rin sana if nandun siya, kumpleto reinforcement namin, pero we just played lang today and ginawa namin ‘yung best namin.”
[ALSO READ: Where are imports in 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference opener? League explains document delay]
Veteran libero Alyssa Eroa also anchored the floor defense for ZUS with 22 excellent digs and 21 excellent receptions, earning Player of the Game honors.
“Parang wala naman din nagkaiba kasi going back sa last conference, kami rin naman ‘yung nasa loob,” Eroa added.
ZUS Coffee celebrates after scoring a point during their opening day win against Akari. | Photo: PVL
Head coach Jerry Yee echoed his players’ sentiment and said that while the team did not expect to start the season without their reinforcement, their preparation and adaptability paid off.
“Hindi tayo ganun ka-prepared na ayan ang mangyayari pero okay lang,” Yee admitted. “As the players said, lagi naman tayong nag-eensayo na nagta-try ng different combinations. Hindi naman as if bago combinations, sila rin naman naglaro nung last. So these past few practices, siyempre kasama ‘yung import, pero circumstances, so laro lang kami.”
ZUS Coffee, though, hopes that DeBeer will finally be cleared to play come Saturday, October 11, as they face the Chery Tiggo Crossovers at the City of Dasmariñas Arena.
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Kiko Demigillo’s journey in sports storytelling began with a deep passion for games and athletes, which eventually grew into a full-fledged career.
Now a dedicated sportswriter, Kiko covers a wide range of beats for One Sports, including the PVL, UAAP, PBA, and various international tournaments.