ZUS Coffee won’t treat its franchise’s first PVL playoffs appearance as a learning experience.
No one might’ve seen this draft lottery team-turned-playoff contender coming, but the Jerry Yee-led unit didn’t come this far just to make up the numbers.
“Ako? Laban na talaga,” said ZUS Coffee’s No. 1 overall draft pick Thea Gagate after the 25-22, 25-17, 18-25, 25-17 win over Capital1 gave it the last ticket to the quarterfinals.
“Hindi naman madali ‘yung pinagdaanan namin na situation ngayon, so kailangan na naming ibigay lahat ng efforts, ng hardwork, ng mga paghihirap namin sa training, application talaga ng mga natutunan namin nung qualifying round.”
Whatever happens by the end of the Thunderbelles’ playoff campaign, they will land on their franchise’s best run in a PVL conference after back-to-back last-place finishes.
READ It's Creamline vs Chery Tiggo, ZUS Coffee vs Petro Gazz in PVL quarters
This conference saw ZUS Coffee earn its first franchise win, first win streak and, eventually, its first playoff appearance.
But they're not stopping there as the Thunderbelles have their sights sets on writing a fairytale end to what has been an unexpected dream run.
“Marami kaming paghihirap sa conference na ito [at] excited lang din ako sa quarterfinals kasi du’n pa lang mag-uumpisa ang tunay na laban,” Gagate said.
“Lalaban na talaga kami kasi ito ‘yung gusto namin eh. Kaya nga kami nandito kasi para lumaban and ipakita sa lahat ‘yung skills namin,” added team captain Cloanne Mondoñedo who’s been with the team from its struggling start in 2024.
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