ZUS Coffee head coach Jerry Yee didn’t exactly break out the fireworks after steering the Thunderbelles to a league-best 5-0 start in the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference.
“5-0 start, wala eh,” Yee said. “Nag-a-adjust lang din tayo. Kung anong ibibigay ng kalaban, kukunin natin.”
Still, it’s a milestone for the franchise as this becomes their first-ever run as unscathed solo league leaders barely a year into existence.
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And it wasn’t a cakewalk either for the Thunderbelles in a group that had three PVL champions and a silver medalist.
They swept three-time champ Petro Gazz and Galeries Tower, then handled reigning titleholder Creamline and inaugural pro champ Chery Tiggo EV in four sets. They also escaped Akari in a gripping five-setter.
The difference-maker? Who else but American outside hitter Anna DeBeer.
“Basically, si Anna [DeBeer] nandyan,” he said. “May mga rotations tayo na kailangan natin makaikot agad na nandyan si Anna, so ginagawa natin.
“Tina-try lang din namin maging consistent sa basics — pasa, setting, ‘yung maliliit na bagay. Do’n kami dapat maging consistent.”
The 24-year-old, second-shortest import in the field at 5-foot-11, is the league's first-round scoring leader with 148 points (29.6 per game) and a 41.12 percent attack rate. She also ranked fourth in receptions at 47.66 percent efficiency.
Three thunderous weeks ahead
Even with that kind of firepower on hand, Yee isn’t buying into the hype just yet ahead of the last three weeks before a champion is crowned.
“Masarap pakinggan ‘yung 5-0, pero ang haba pa ng tournament,” he reminded. “’Yung bottom three, kakalabanin pa natin. Ikot pa tayo sa round robin, tapos quarterfinals, semis, finals. Masyado pang malayo.”
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