After a breakthrough 2025 season, the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles enter a new PVL campaign aiming to prove they can remain a title contender even without super import Anna DeBeer.
ZUS Coffee heads into the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference no longer trying to catch anyone by surprise.
Last year’s breakthrough run raised expectations—and with it, the question of whether or not the Thunderbelles can sustain that level once the spotlight stays on them.
The challenge now is less about proving they belong and more about backing it up, especially without import Anna DeBeer.
How ZUS Coffee transitions from Reinforced Conference success to consistent All-Filipino contention will define the next phase of its rise.
A season that changed the narrative
- All-Filipino Conference: 7th place
- PVL On Tour: 7th place
- Reinforced Conference: 2nd place
The 2025 PVL season marked a turning point for the Thunderbelles.
While ZUS Coffee hovered around the middle of the pack in All-Filipino play, its Reinforced Conference campaign redefined the franchise, proving that it is close to making a historic title run.
[ALSO READ: How ZUS Coffee transformed from PVL underdogs to legit title contenders]
Reinforcing the breakthrough
Key additions: Rachel Anne Daquis, Cess Robles, Ren Penafiel, Karen Verdeflor, Chie Saet
Key exits: Shayra Ancheta, Julia Angeles, Gayle Pascual, Dolly Versoza
ZUS Coffee followed up that run with targeted offseason moves aimed at experience and stability
Daquis and Saet bring added veteran presence and leadership. Robles and Penafiel deepen the spiker rotation, addressing areas that were stretched during their Finals run.
Turning momentum into consistency
ZUS Coffee enters the 2026 PVL season with a clear benchmark already set.
The Thunderbelles now face the task of proving that their breakthrough was not dependent on super import Anna DeBeer.
Under head coach Jerry Yee, the core of Jovelyn Gonzaga, Thea Gagate, AC Miner, Alyssa Eroa, and Cloanne Mondoñedo are now better positioned to handle tight sets and the grind of a full conference.
[ALSO READ: Cloanne Mondoñedo eyes continued growth with ZUS Coffee after first PVL Best Setter plum]
From breakthrough to standard
The Thunderbelles are no longer playing with surprise on their side.
Last season raised expectations—and with it, the standard they are now measured against.
ZUS Coffee enters the All-Filipino Conference aiming to prove that its Finals run was not an outlier, but the foundation of a team ready to stay in the conversation.
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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.