Anna DeBeer celebrates ZUS Coffee’s breakthrough semifinal berth in the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference, saying the team has worked too hard to stop now as they push toward a historic finals run.
Anna DeBeer couldn’t help but soak in the moment.
For her first professional experience, DeBeer has led ZUS Coffee to just two wins away from the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference title.
The Thunderbelles punched the franchise’s first-ever trip to the semifinals after sweeping the Capital1 Solar Spikers, 25-14, 25-20, 25-18, in their knockout duel on Monday, November 24, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum,
DeBeer powered the charge with 24 points on a blistering 55% attack rate, continuing her conference-long tear.
‘We might as well finish it’
The American outside hitter admitted she came into the Philippines with zero expectations. But suddenly, DeBeer finds herself leading a title-hungry Thunderbelles.
“I think it’s super awesome to be in this position and to be in the semifinals for the first time ever. I had no expectations that we would be here coming in,” DeBeer told One Sports.
“I really didn’t know how we were gonna be and it was all new to me.”
Anna DeBeer and ZUS Coffee celebrate after their PVL Reinforced Conference quarterfinal win. | Photo: PVL
After two early playoff exits in the last three PVL conferences, ZUS Coffee finally leaped into contender territory. DeBeer credited this to the hard work and dedication shown by the team.
“To see how hard everybody has worked this whole season and to get where we are right now, I mean we're already so far, we might as well just finish it all,” she said.
[ALSO READ: Anna DeBeer shifts ZUS Coffee’s focus to quarterfinal mode amid strong PVL Reinforced run]
What makes ZUS Coffee different?
Beyond the talent, DeBeer credited her teammates for making the Thunderbelles one of the league’s most cohesive and consistent squads all year.
“I think they’re so special. Everyone steps up and does their role, and I think that’s what’s made us so successful,” she said. “Everyone is doing their job and their job only. We don’t have to do anything extra.”
“They’ve been so supportive and so fun to play with. I’m really gonna miss them.”
[ALSO READ: How ZUS Coffee transformed from PVL underdogs to legit title contenders]
ZUS Coffee will now await the winner of the quarterfinal battle between PLDT and Cignal for a shot further into history.
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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.