No imports, no problem as locals deliver in ZUS Coffee-Akari thriller

Games tomorrow, Thursday

Dasmariñas Arena, Cavite

4 p.m. – Galeries Tower vs Petro Gazz

6:30 p.m. – Farm Fresh vs Nxled

The year-ending Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference opened with a bang Tuesday night, as ZUS Coffee turned back Akari in a gripping five-set battle, 24-26, 25-23, 17-25, 25-24, 15-7, at the Ynares Center in Montalban.

The much-anticipated return of international reinforcements was postponed after the Philippine National Volleyball Federation withheld endorsement of the required International Transfer Certificates (ITCs), despite complete and timely submissions from all involved parties — including the players’ federations and PVL clubs.

The absence of foreign imports, however, hardly dimmed the competition’s opening act. Instead, it gave local talent a rare spotlight — and they shone brightly.

In a Pool B match initially expected to be headlined by international players, it was the locals who stole the show, showcasing grit, skill and heart. Both squads brought out their best, reminding fans that the league’s core strength lies in the rising depth of Filipino volleyball.

Akari’s Eli Soyud and Chenie Tagaod led the offensive charge, while middles Fifi Sharma and Ced Domingo held the frontline with resolve. On the other side, ZUS Coffee’s homegrown talents proved just as formidable. Jovelyn Gonzaga, Chinnie Arroyo, Riza Nogales and AC Miner rose to the occasion, combining for consistent production and momentum-shifting plays in every set.

In the fifth and deciding set, however, it was the Thunderbelles who surged with poise and precision, orchestrating a decisive 7-0 closing run to turn a shaky 8-7 edge into a runaway, morale-boosting win.

“Sobrang hirap mag-adjust. Parang lahat kami nangangapa kasi biglaan ‘yung balita na hindi pa pala p’wedeng maglaro ang imports,” said ZUS Coffee libero Alyssa Eroa, who earned Player of the Game honors after tallying 22 excellent digs. “Sanay na kaming kasama si Anna (DeBeer) sa rotation, kaya malaking adjustment talaga.”

(It was really hard to adjust — we were all caught off guard when we found out last-minute that the imports weren’t allowed to play. We’ve gotten used to having Anna [DeBeer] with us, so it was a big adjustment.)

From the first serve to the final whistle, the locals delivered a match that needed no foreign flavor to be exciting. Long rallies, jaw-dropping digs, well-timed blocks and ferocious attacks defined each set. With both teams refusing to yield, the crowd was treated to two hours and 18 minutes of high-caliber local volleyball — a strong statement that homegrown talents can carry the league when called upon.

And when the match stretched into a deciding fifth set, the Thunderbelles seemed right at home — as if they had been waiting for this exact scenario.

ZUS Coffee has made a habit of embracing high-pressure moments, having gone through multiple five-set wars during the PVL On Tour. That experience paid off once again, as the Thunderbelles showed composure, chemistry and killer instinct when it mattered most.

Unlike many teams that falter under the weight of a marathon match, the Jerry Yee-coached Thunderbelles thrive when pushed to the limit. Their familiarity with long games gave them an edge in stamina and mental fortitude — and it showed.

The momentum swung firmly in their favor after a pivotal challenge call midway through the final frame — a successful appeal that led to a replay of a critical point. Rather than allowing frustration or doubt to creep in, ZUS used the reset as fuel, unleashing a flurry of attacks to break the game wide open.

From a slim 9-7 lead — courtesy of Arroyo’s gritty kill on her third attempt — ZUS Coffee never looked back. Akari, previously composed, unraveled under the Thunderbelles’ relentless pressure. Two untimely attack errors by the Chargers opened the floodgates, before middle blocker Riza Nogales, thriving on perfectly timed sets from Cloanne Mondonedo, delivered back-to-back quick hits that widened the gap to 12-7.

Fiola Ceballos then hammered an ace, followed by another Nogales strike and another Ceballos service winner — the exclamation points to a fifth-set masterclass that saw ZUS Coffee score six unanswered points to seal the win.

In clutch moments, some teams crumble — but ZUS Coffee finds its rhythm.

Statistically, the game mirrored its tight nature. ZUS Coffee slightly edged Akari in attacks (64-62) and blocks (14-12), while the Chargers outserved their rivals, 7-6. Errors were nearly even, with Akari benefiting from 24 ZUS miscues while committing 23 of their own.

Six Thunderbelles scored in double digits — a testament to the team’s balanced attack. Nogales paced the squad with 15 points, followed closely by Gonzaga and Arroyo with 14 apiece. Kate Santiago and AC Miner added 11 and 10, respectively.

Soyud led all scorers with 22 markers, while Tagaod chipped in 18. Sharma and Domingo combined for 22 points in a losing effort.

While the PVL and its fans continue to await the resolution of the ITC stalemate, the league has already proven one thing: its local talent pool is more than capable of delivering high-stakes, high-quality volleyball.

What was meant to be a showcase of imported power turned into a celebration of Filipino resilience, teamwork and rising talent. And if the opening salvo is any indication, fans are in for a wild, unpredictable ride — with or without reinforcements.

Titans foil solar spikers in straight sets

With its key players back in action, Choco Mucho reclaimed the spotlight in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference, drubbing a gritty Capital1 squad in straight sets, 33-31, 26-24, 25-23, in Pool A play at the Ynares Center in Montalban, Rizal, Tuesday night.

The return of mainstays Kat Tolentino and Maddie Madayag — coming off injury and a stint in Japan, respectively — proved pivotal for the Flying Titans, who showed veteran poise in a one-hour, 43-minute grind against the youthful Solar Spikers.

Tolentino, who top-scored for Choco Mucho with 15 points, downplayed the team’s early struggles in the marathon opening set, attributing it more to a need to warm up than nerves.

“We weren’t nervous, we just had to get into the rhythm,” said Tolentino. “Personally, I didn’t feel anything. I’m just very grateful and happy to be back. Being able to play again is a blessing — winning is just a bonus.”

After surviving the extended first set and holding off Capital1’s rallies in the second frame, Choco Mucho found itself on shaky ground late in the third. But the Flying Titans held their nerve, coming back from several one-point deficits and sealing the sweep with their trademark net defense.

With the score tied at 23 after a hit from Dindin Manabat, Madayag came up big — blocking Rovena Instrella’s attack to reach match point, then following it up with another emphatic rejection on Instrella to clinch the set and the match.

Tolentino drew solid support from Isa Molde, who contributed 14 points. Middle blocker Lorraine Pecaña added eight, while Des Cheng and Cherry Nunag chipped in seven and six markers, respectively.

Madayag and Royse Tubino finished with five points apiece, with the former highlighting her performance with the crucial final two that iced the victory.

Choco Mucho’s experience and composure were on full display as it outworked its rival, particularly at the net. The Flying Titans tallied 11 blocks — three more than the Solar Spikers — and narrowly edged them in attacks, 56-51.

Despite the loss, Capital1’s top rookie pick Bella Belen delivered an impressive league debut, pouring in 20 points. Fellow national team standout Leila Cruz also sparkled with 18 markers.

However, the duo couldn’t fully lift the Solar Spikers, who absorbed their 16th straight defeat since their last win — a four-setter over Nxled on Nov. 30, 2024.

Capital1 showed plenty of promise, pushing a veteran team to the limit in all three sets. But in the end, their youth and inconsistency proved costly against a more seasoned opponent that simply knew how to close.

Coach Dante Alinsunurin’s clutch substitutions also proved decisive as the Flying Titans outmaneuvered their opponents when it mattered most.

Choco Mucho and Capital1 battled fiercely in the opening set, treating fans to a thriller that unfolded like everything was on the line. The Solar Spikers, buoyed by blue-chip rookies, looked ready to cruise after building a commanding 21-16 lead late in the frame.

But the Flying Titans, banking on experience and poise, mounted a determined comeback that turned the set into a seesaw battle.

Belen hammered a clutch kill to bring Capital1 to set point, aiming to snap a long dry spell dating back to their last win on Nov. 30. Yet Choco Mucho wasn’t about to fold.

Behind Tubino, the Flying Titans clawed back, with the seasoned hitter delivering consecutive power hits to force two deuces.

Though a long serve gave Capital1 another shot at the set, Manabat responded with a well-timed kill to extend the frame to 26-all.

Choco Mucho kept pushing, earning set point four times. But Capital1 showed grit of their own, fending off each attempt.

The Solar Spikers momentarily regained control following a Madayag service error and a crafty one-handed push from Jorelle Singh that earned them another set point. Still, Choco Mucho refused to back down.

Tubino came up big once more, this time with a clever drop ball to tie things up again. Then, with nerves at their peak, Niegos committed back-to-back errors — a mistimed jump on a quick attack and a flawed hit — handing Choco Mucho the hard-fought set, 33-31.

The Flying Titans’ resilience paid off, giving them a crucial 1-0 lead in a match that already had the feel of a finals showdown.