ANNA DeBeer’s dominant maiden run in the PVL had everything except a championship.
The 24-year-old American scorer ran out of steam at the worst possible time, finishing with just 18 points on a 28.33 percent success rate as ZUS Coffee faltered against Petro Gazz, 25-21, 26-28, 23-25, 20-25, in the winner-take-all title game of the 2025 Reinforced Conference on Sunday.
DeBeer's score tied her second lowest of the season and the defeat was only her second. But it was tougher to take.
READ Petro Gazz ends Zus Coffee's dream run, claims fourth PVL title
Even after securing the Best Foreign Guest Player award later, DeBeer admitted the Thunderbelles never quite regained the form that powered them to their first-ever finals appearance.
“Obviously, we didn’t really play our best,” DeBeer told SPIN.ph.
“It’s definitely tough when those kinds of games happen in the finals, but I’m really proud of what we’ve accomplished to get to this point.”
For the second time this year, DeBeer finished runner-up to compatriot Lindsey Vander Weide, who again steered Petro Gazz to the crown just as she did against DeBeer back in the Major League Volleyball final last May.
Despite another heartbreak reminiscent of her US NCAA days with Louisville, DeBeer said she has no regrets from what she described as an unforgettable professional debut abroad.
“I have to not dwell too much on this game and look at how far ZUS has come,” she said. “I told the girls before leaving that this has been the most unreal experience. I had no clue it was gonna be this amazing.”
The night still ended on a high note as DeBeer received a touching tribute from teammates and fans, many of whom wore special 'Fear DeBeer' shirts prior to accepting her Best Import trophy and eventually flying back home to the United States on Monday morning.
“It was really cool. I didn’t even know this was a thing,” she said. “New fans, new country, new everything. I’m just really thankful. They made this so enjoyable and made me want to work harder for them.”
As for the question on everyone’s mind: will DeBeer return in 2026?
The answer remains up in the air.
“Everyone’s been asking me,” she said with a smile. “I’m not sure. It just depends on how everything works out. But I would love to be back.”
For now, DeBeer leaves the Philippines with an individual crown, a silver medal, and the admiration of a fanbase she didn’t expect to win over so quickly.
And perhaps, unfinished business could bring her back next year.
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