ILAGAN — Jolina dela Cruz was not simply looking for a new home.
She was looking for a chance to find herself again.
After a forgettable stint with Farm Fresh, where her time was largely spent either recovering from a lengthy knee injury or watching from the sidelines, Dela Cruz finally got the reset she needed when her contract with the Foxies expired.
READ: ZUS Coffee takes down Akari to open PVL on Tour on a high
The former La Salle star grabbed the opportunity to switch sides, joining ZUS Coffee in hopes of reviving the form that once made her the UAAP’s top outside hitter and one of the league’s most unstoppable scoring forces.
“‘Yung growth talaga [habol ko sa ZUS Coffee] kasi super sarap maglaro dito under kay Coach Jerry dahil hinahayaan ka niya,” Dela Cruz said.
“Pinapakilala niya kung sino ka talaga, especially sa laro. Malaking example yung kanina sa court kasi may times na mapapagod ka rin, tapos may mga pagkakataon na mawawala ka rin sa laro, pero hinahayaan ka niya.
“Binibigyan ka niya ng pagkakataong mahanap ulit yung sarili mo.”
Dela Cruz arrived at Farm Fresh in 2024, but her chapter with the Foxies never reached its full potential as a prolonged rehabilitation process delayed her return.
Even when she returned, opportunities remained limited.
That made her move to the Thunderbelles a much-needed switch to rebuild her confidence and regain her scoring tempo.
“Una talaga ‘yung kumpiyansa kasi nu’ng mga nakaraang conference, ang hirap din kasi kapag nawawala yung confidence,” she said.
“Wala rin talaga akong playing time nu’n. Kaya ito, super big opportunity talaga para sa akin at sa mga bagong teammates ko.”
One of the biggest draws was ZUS Coffee head coach Jerry Yee, whose demanding approach can appear intimidating, but whose trust in his players has allowed Dela Cruz to play with more freedom.
“Binigyan din ako ni Coach Jerry ng playing time, at napunta rin ako sa magandang sistema. Very welcoming din talaga yung ating host,” she said.
Dela Cruz immediately showed flashes of her old self in her Thunderbelles debut, delivering a 12-point, 13-reception double-double as ZUS Coffee opened its PVL on Tour campaign with a win over Akari.
But beyond the numbers, the bigger goal is restoring her confidence and aggression, one that isn’t just about proving she was never gone.
It is about showing that the old Jolina is still there.
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