The ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles outlasted the Akari Chargers for their first win in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
The ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles put an end to their two-game losing streak in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference after overcoming the Akari Chargers in five sets, 16-25, 25-18, 18-25, 25-23, 15-12, at the FilOil Centre in San Juan on Thursday, Feb. 12.
The Thunderbelles are on the board after dropping their first two matches against the Capital1 Solar Spikers and Galeries Tower Highrisers for a 1-2 record.
Meanwhile, the Chargers remain winless at 0-2, struggling to find their groove in this conference.
In the fifth set, ZUS Coffee raced to an 8-4 lead powered by Jovelyn Gonzaga, who scored nearly half of the team’s points.
Akari tried to mount a comeback, cutting the lead to just a single point at 8-7. But Fiola Ceballos would come right back firing to restore the Thunderbelles’ lead.
Gonzaga would put ZUS Coffee at match point, 14-11, before Chinnie Arroyo eventually sealed the victory with an off-the-block hit.
The "Bionic Ilongga" led the Thunderbelles with 14 points, built on 10 attacks, two blocks, and two service aces.
Up next for ZUS Coffee will be the Creamline Cool Smashers on Tuesday, Feb. 17, at the same venue.
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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.