ZUS Coffee struck gold in the 2025 Davao Invitational Volleyball Tournament by besting La Salle, 25-17, 25-19, 23-25, 25-23, on Sunday at the University of Southeastern Philippines Gymnasium & Cultural Center.
The Thunderbelles won their first franchise championship in the four-team pocket tournament featuring UAAP powerhouse Lady Spikers, perennial NCAA champion College of St. Benilde and their PVL sister team Farm Fresh.
They did so by dropping just one set in the four-day event.
After sitting out a winless campaign in the PVL Invitational, Jovelyn Gonzaga returned to action for ZUS Coffee in Davao and bagged MVP and best opposite hitter honors to crown their four-game tournament sweep.
Chinnie Arroyo was feted as best outside hitter while the best setter plum went to team captain Cloanne Mondoñedo.
A special best server award was also given to ZUS Coffee rookie Mycah Go.
Reigning UAAP best libero Lyka de Leon copped the same award in Davao, with fellow Lady Spiker Lilay del Castillo named best middle blocker.
La Salle secured the last finals spot with a superior set ratio over Farm Fresh and Benilde, breaking a three-way tie at 1-2 (win-loss) after single-round robin play.
Angel Canino saw limited action in the title game as Shevana Laput did not suit up in the tournament for unknown reasons.
Bronze for the Foxies
Meanwhile, the Foxies gained a measure of revenge from their prelims loss to the Lady Blazers by taking them down in the bronze-medal game, 18-25, 25-20, 25-14-25-21.
Farm Fresh’s star signings Ces Molina and Riri Meneses made their debuts for their new team after a six-month hiatus since their contract row with Cignal back in January.
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