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New recruits Jovelyn Gonzaga and Thea Gagate make quick impact, leading the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles to their first win after a 20-game skid, while the PLDT High Speed Hitters move up to 2-0 in PVL action
MANILA, Philippines – Top rookie pick Thea Gagate and new addition Jovelyn Gonzaga proved to be just what ZUS Coffee needs.
A tournament doormat since joining the league early this year, the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles finally scored a breakthrough win, snapping a 20-game skid at the expense of the Nxled Chameleons, 19-25, 25-23, 25-22, 25-15, in the PVL All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday, November 19, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
ZUS Coffee, formerly known as Strong Group Athletics, had been winless since joining the league in January 2024 when it took over the embattled Gerflor franchise.
Gonzaga, the newly signed veteran from Cignal, made her presence felt with 23 points on 20 attacks and 3 blocks.
Gagate, the No. 1 draft pick, also made the most of her towering frame, tallying 16 points built on 10 attacks, 5 rejections, and a service ace.
With the win, ZUS vaulted to seventh in the 12-team field with a 1-1 record, while Nxled fell to 0-2.
“As I’ve always said during interviews, I need to step up since my teammates could draw inspiration from me,” Gonzaga said in Filipino after the game.
“At the same time, I put huge trust in the talent of my teammates,” she added.
The Thunderbelles dominated the fourth set, leading by double digits before the Chameleons scored seven straight points to come within 15-22.
However, ZUS Coffee arrested the comeback attempt and capped it off with a down-the-line attack.
Chiara Permentilla paced the Chameleons’ offense with 19 points off 17 attacks, a block, and an ace, while Lucille Almonte chipped in 12 markers as Nxled sank to a 0-2 record.
PLDT up 2-0
The PLDT High Speed Hitters picked up their second straight victory after a 27-25, 25-22, 25-23 comeback over the winless Galeries Tower Highrisers.
Down 15-21 in the third, PLDT rode on a 10-2 run to steal the contest, sending the Highrisers to their third straight loss of the conference.
Savi Davison, playing in her second game since returning from injury, scored 28 points built on 26 attacks and 2 blocks, while Erika Santos added 14 for the High Speed Hitters.
“It shouldn’t have come to that, coming back from such a big deficit, if we started off strong in the third set,” PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort said after the game.
“I reminded them that even though they were up 2-0, they should not be complacent,” he added.
France Ronquillo poured a team-high 19 for Galeries Tower, which has a chance to reset as the team embarks on a lengthy nine-day break before their next game on November 28 against ZUS Coffee. – Rappler.com
