ZUS Coffee disconnects PLDT for first-ever PVL Finals trip

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

You just have to give ZUS Coffee the recognition it deserves.

Matching up against the stacked PLDT High-Speed Hitters during the semifinals, the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles operated with precision, pulling off an anticlimactic sweep to bag its first-ever Premier Volleyball League (PVL) finals appearance, 25-22, 28-26, 25-22, in the Reinforced Conference playoffs on Nov. 27, 2025, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

The huge post-season win denied the High-Speed Hitters a third consecutive PVL championship title, after they had won the last two preseason trophies, advancing to the championship series against the Petro Gazz Angels, which edged the Akari Chargers in five thrilling sets.

After bagging a momentum-boosting 1-0 lead, the Thunderbelles were bound for another quick finish in the second frame when they reached set point, 24-22.

However, PLDT’s never-say-die attitude rose in the most perfect time in the clutch as they managed to force a deuce decider off Savannah Davison’s attack point that tied the game at 25-all.

The High-Speed Hitters even moved a point away from stealing the second set, 26-25, behind the heroics of Davison, who scored a crucial off-the-block kill.

Just when PLDT thought they already had it in the bag, the Thunderbelles answered with a demoralizing 3-0 scoring run to recover, courtesy of much-needed hits from AC Miner and import Anna DeBeer, who scored the last two points for ZUS Coffee.

After a come-from-behind second-set effort, ZUS Coffee put the final nail in the coffin in the third, en route to a sweeping victory fashion that officially eliminated the title favorites in this year’s import-laced conference.

DeBeer, who has just been on a tear for the Thunderbelles, spearheaded ZUS Coffee’s semifinal win with a game-high 30-point production built from 29 successful attacks.

Aside from the American import’s steady offensive output, Chinnie Arroyo also stepped up when the Thunderbelles needed her scoring the most, as she chipped in 14 markers derived from 13 successful attacks.

Alyssa Eroa, ZUS Coffee’s unsung hero who anchored their floor coverage defense to perfection, recorded 23 excellent digs and 13 excellent receptions.

On the other hand, PLDT’s season came to a close, led by Anastasiia Bavykina’s 16 points and Davison’s 15-point outing alongside 17 excellent receptions.