The ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles aim to sustain their resurgence as they face the Creamline Cool Smashers in a key PVL All-Filipino Conference matchup.
The ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles look to build on their return to form as they take on the Creamline Cool Smashers in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday, Feb. 17, at the FilOil Centre in San Juan.
After a shaky 0-2 start, the Thunderbelles appear to have steadied themselves just in time.
ZUS Coffee showed renewed composure in its last outing, rallying from a 1-2 set deficit to outlast the Akari Chargers and signal that its early struggles may already be in the rearview mirror.
Riza Nogales remains at the center of that resurgence. As one of ZUS Coffee’s most reliable two-way players, Nogales continues to anchor the Thunderbelles’ frontline, providing stability at the net and consistent production on quick attacks.
Her matchup against Creamline’s veteran middle rotation looms as a key battleground in the 6:30 p.m. showdown.
[ALSO READ: PVL: Onyok Getigan steps up as ZUS Coffee rallies amid Jerry Yee's absence]
With AC Miner sidelined due to injury, the responsibility on the net has grown, putting more emphasis on Nogales and fellow middle Thea Gagate to control blocking lanes and slow down Creamline’s powerful wing scorers.
Setter Cloanne Mondonedo will again be tasked with spreading the offense and keeping the Thunderbelles unpredictable, while Chinnie Arroyo, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Kate Santiago, and Fiola Ceballos are expected to provide the necessary support to sustain pressure across longer exchanges.
[ALSO READ: Jovelyn Gonzaga points to ZUS Coffee's 'reset' as key to first win in PVL All-Filipino]
Facing a resurgent Creamline side, ZUS Coffee understands the challenge ahead but also sees the matchup as another opportunity to measure its progress.
With momentum beginning to swing back in their favor, the Thunderbelles are determined to prove that their early-season stumble was only a brief detour in a wide-open All-Filipino race.
(With reports from Kiko Demigillo/One Sports)
—
[Editor’s note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital with the help of AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]