IT took a few strong draft picks and veteran offseason signings in just about a year for ZUS Coffee to rise through the ranks in the PVL.
Even with a 3-4 record midway through All-Filipino prelims, the Thunderbelles’ last two defeats in five-set thrillers against no less than powerhouse sister teams Creamline and Choco Mucho showed the team can compete against the best.
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“We needed those kinds (of games). Kumbaga, dadaan kami sa mga ganong klaseng games para mag-grow,” Thunderbelles head coach Jerry Yee said.
“Happy ako na it came so early. May mga ganong stages talaga na dadaanan ang isang team and, ayan na nga, nandiyan na kami sa five-setters (against strong teams). We have to get over the hump para matuto, para maging mature, para maging better team.”
Safe to say, ZUS Coffee isn’t messing around as the erstwhile cellar-dwellers are now armed with a fighting spirit that has put a smile on the stoic Yee.
“Lessons, ups and downs, pa-minsan nakakapagod, nakaka-frustrate. Then, you look back and maraming positives na panghuhugutan. You can’t help but be happy with the team na parang kita mo na meron talagang i-iimprove pa,” Yee said.
While they’re already at a point where they can be at par with the league’s best, it doesn’t mean that they’re already title-contender material just yet.
Yee acknowledged that the road to get to the highest level is just as long — or maybe even longer — than the months-long chase ZUS Coffee went through en route to their first franchise win earlier this conference after its first 20 winless PVL matches.
“It won’t be that easy kasi individually, kailangang mabuo ‘yung kumpyansa sa sarili, ‘yung mental game. Kailangang mag-jibe lahat yung timing ng isa’t-isa.
Yee added: “Hanggang ngayon, after the first set pa lang kami nakakapag-adjust ng ilang plays namin, so it doesn’t end in any point talaga. Nagbabago ‘yung timing, nagbabago ‘yung kundisyon, nagbabago ‘yung players, nagbabago ‘yung kalaban, so try, try, try lang.”
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